A decision is set to be made on whether a bed and breakfast in Derby should be turned into flats for up to 25 people to live. Derby city councillors will make a decision on the future of Thornhill Guest Lodge on Thornhill Road at a planning meeting next week.
Permission has been sought by Ignite Enterprises Ltd for a change of use of the building from a guesthouse/bed and breakfast to three individual flats.
According to planning documents, the current operators are looking to retire and the property has been purchased by Ignite Enterprises Ltd to refurbish and convert the accommodation into “a use that is more aligned with the current market around the area”.
The flats would be on each floor of the building and each organised as a single House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The building would house 25 occupants in total.
The application has been amended on the advice of council officers to increase the amount of communal space available to each flat. But there is still concern surrounding the proposed changes with 26 residents sending the council objection letters.
Concerns have been raised around parking and traffic, changes to the street’s demographic composition, potential for crime and antisocial behaviour, demand on local infrastructure and the overconcentration of HMOs in the area.
Abbey ward councillor Carmel Ashby wrote to the council, saying: “I am very concerned that should planning permission be given for this it will change the nature of the community on Thornhill Road.
“The residents on Thornhill Road have not been troubled with regards to parking or noise disturbance by the users of the guest house but having 26 new residents and their visitors would irreparably alter the nature of the street and the community. Residents are already concerned for the safety of the young children being dropped off and collected from the nursery which depends upon on street parking where traffic can be very busy at these times.”
But a planning statement on behalf of Ignite Enterprises Ltd says the plans for new residential accommodation will benefit the community. It states: “This location can be seen as an extremely sustainable location with regard to residential development, especially for those without vehicular transportation. The introduction of residential units on the site will reuse an existing building that is currently underutilised and in need of attention.
“By providing a residential scheme, this will prevent potential nuisance and vandalism from the area which will improve the locality for the neighbouring residents. Through close co-ordination between architect and client, the proposal has reached a high quality and balanced housing type, meeting the relevant planning policies and exceeding standards outlined by Derby City Council.”
Council planning officers have recommended the plans for approval ahead of the meeting. A report to the council’s planning committee says: “The proposed intensification of residential use may result in some increased activity, parking pressure and traffic in the vicinity. However, these adverse effects would not outweigh the benefits of increasing the city’s residential accommodation.”
But councillors can vote against the recommendation should they wish to do so. The meeting takes place on Thursday, January 16.