Durham County Council has approved the conversion of a second house in Durham city into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) this week, despite concerns from residents and officials.

The property at 58 Bradford Crescent, Gilesgate, will be transformed from a regular home to an HMO for a maximum of three unrelated occupants.

The approval comes with strict conditions, including the implementation of soundproofing measures and the provision of cycle and bin storage and these conditions must be met within three years.

The decision was met with opposition from Councillor Christine Fletcher and residents who raised concerns about the impact on parking, residential amenity, and community imbalance due to the increasing number of HMOs.

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Cllr Fletcher argued the development contravenes Policy 16 of the County Durham Plan, which aims to prevent the oversaturation of HMOs in certain areas.

She also questioned the need for more student accommodation, citing a recent statement from Durham University indicating a decrease in student numbers.

Belmont Parish Council also opposed the development, expressing concerns about the negative impact on the local environment, waste generation, parking, and social cohesion.

Despite the objections, the planning committee found the development compliant with relevant planning policies, including those related to oversaturation, sustainability, parking, and housing mix.

The application, submitted by Sugar Tree Limited, was therefore recommended for approval by Durham County Council.

The project includes a single-storey rear extension and compliance with soundproofing and parking requirements.

The developer also claimed exemptions for biodiversity net gain, citing minimal impact on the habitat.