Plans to approve a HMO just outside Darlington's town centre have been given the green light by the council.

The conversion of a home on Greenbank Road into a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) has been deemed lawful under planning regulations.

A decision made on November 27, granted the change of use. Made under section 192 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Darlington Borough Council confirmed that the property's change of use was permitted.

The home, located at 45 Greenbank Road, will now formally accommodate up to six people after the council's approval.

The owners, Vnoutchkov Properties, represented by Middlesbrough-based Daniil Vnoutchkov, sought a certificate of lawfulness for the change of use, which was granted.

Currently a single dwelling, the house will now be classified under use class C4, in line with regulations.

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Key points of consideration included whether the change of use fell under permitted development rights, which it did, and the impact on local protected habitats.

The council determined that the home's new status as a small HMO, with a six-person limit, did not represent a net gain in housing units, addressing any potential concerns.

Located in the Denes area of Darlington, the property is bordered by other houses at 43 and 47 Greenbank Road, with Bakers Court flats to the rear.

The application, submitted by Theo Beedle of Vaughan Architecture in Pontefract, demonstrated compliance with permitted development technical guidance.

Darlington Borough Council's decision means the development will not require enforcement under section 172 of the Act.

The change of use also complied with section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, with no adverse effects identified.