Hull MP backs petition against 122-HMO
The plans have proven controversial with local councillors
A Hull MP has backed a petition calling on Hull City Council to reject plans for a giant 122-bed HMO in Hull city centre. Discussions over the proposals are set to be revisited next month after the authority’s planning committee recently deferred a making a decision.
Earlier this year, the London-based Knight Wood Portfolio Limited submitted a planning application to the council to transform the former Portland Hotel in Paragon Street, into a mammoth 122-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO). The plans explained that the former hotel would have bedrooms on the first to sixth floors, with each room having its own small kitchenette space.
The plans have proven controversial with local councillors who were soon to voice their concerns. The site falls within the St Andrew’s and Docklands ward which is represented by three Labour councillors – Leanne Fudge, group leader Daren Hale, and Haroldo Herrera-Richmond.
On their ‘St Andrew’s and Docklands Labour’ Facebook page the councillors posted: “Cllr Leanne Fudge and your local Labour councillors have ‘called-in’ plans for a 122-bedded House in Multiple Occupation on the site of the former Paragon Hotel in Hull City Centre to be decided by the council’s Planning Committee and not council officers. The site is currently an eyesore, but Cllr Fudge wants guarantees over the plans and a close look at the facilities available on the site to ensure that the current problem is not just replaced by a new one.”
A petition calling on the council to reject the proposals has been backed and shared by Emma Hardy, the Labour MP for Hull West and Haltemprice. Ms Hardy took to Facebook to say: “Say NO to the 122-bed HMO proposal in Hull city centre! Make your voice heard! Sign the petition calling on the council to reject this application and choose a better path for Hull.
“This plan risks overcrowding and a rise in anti-social behaviour. Instead, we support the creation of good quality, affordable homes which supports the shared ambition of everyone in Hull to vibrantly regenerate our city centre.”
As well as proving to be unpopular with local politicians, Humberside Police’s designing out crime officer, Marc Dias, submitted an objection letter to the council. The letter stated: “Some academic research does appear to find a proliferation of HMOs can in part increase the potential for violence due to the particular stresses and insecurities of living in low-quality, crowded accommodation, with shared facilities and little to no choice of co-habitees.”
A decision was originally expected to be made at the council’s planning committee meeting held on September 3. However, a decision was deferred to allow the developer to address concerns raised. It is now due at a planning meeting to be held on October 1.