Fresh proposals have emerged for the transformation of a former South Shields bank into a house in multiple occupation (HMO), with new plans landing on the desks of local planning chiefs.
The property, known as 21 Fowler Street – previously an HSBC Bank branch – is at the centre of new designs submitted to South Tyneside Council’s planners. HSBC had earlier announced the closure of its Fowler Street outlet in 2023 amid widespread changes to its UK branch network.
Initial conversion blueprints presented in April 2024, looked to repurpose part of the old financial building into a seven-bedroom HMO and an individual studio flat. Mossmead Estates, behind the original application, also looked for green light to partially reshape the ground floor into a “communal living accommodation” for residents of the proposed HMO.
The ambitious scheme retained the property’s retail aspect, ensuring that the “main entrance and shop front windows on this prominent corner location remaining unaltered”. With approval granted by South Tyneside Council in August 2024, the go-ahead was secured for the bank’s makeover into residential premises.
Recently, revised applications have been filed by Mossmead Estates, seeking to revamp the project with more substantial housing provisions. The updated framework suggests reconfiguring the upper storeys of the building to host an 11-bedroom HMO and similarly adapting a section of the lower floor for “communal living accommodation” catering to the expanded HMO.
A design and access statement submitted with the revised planning application notes the rear section of the ground floor would accommodate a “communal kitchen, dining space, utility room, storage area, bathroom, living room, and an external decking area that includes provisions for bin and bicycle storage for the HMO units”. The front section of the property would also continue to function as a retail space under the plan, and there would be HMO bedrooms across upper floors, with each featuring a private ensuite.
The design and access statement adds: “This initiative exemplifies how private investment can effectively revitalize vacant upper floor spaces in a sustainable manner. The redevelopment is designed to ensure that there will be no negative effects on the amenity of nearby residents and commercial establishments.
“In fact, local retail businesses are expected to benefit from the increased foot traffic generated by this residential project. The proposed development is of exceptional quality and aims to provide high-standard accommodation for its residents.
“Only minor modifications will be necessary, specifically the extension of the external staircase on the south-east elevation to link the second-floor corridor with the third-floor corridor. This extension will incorporate a mono pitch roof that is consistent with the existing architectural style.
“Furthermore, the external render finish will match the current one, ensuring that there is no detrimental impact on the building’s appearance within the streetscape.”
Developers previously said the initial HMO scheme would see the “conversion of this former redundant bank to low-cost, high-quality residential accommodation” and would “increase the town centre population in a sustainable location”. A previous council decision report said the property was “on the local list of buildings of acknowledged architectural quality or historic significance” due to its “prominence on a corner plot, its scale and architectural interest with ornate detailing and features”.
Council planners added initial plans for a HMO at the bank site were acceptable in terms of its “location (including the area’s character and nature), the ability of the property to accommodate it, highway safety, residential amenity, crime or fear of crime”. Although no on-site parking was proposed under previously approved plans, applicants noted the site was in close proximity to bus and Metro services and would benefit from cycle parking.
A decision on the revised HMO plan for the former Fowler Street bank will be made by South Tyneside Council in due course. For more information on the plan or to track its progress, visit South Tyneside Council’s planning portal website and search reference: ST/0619/24/FUL
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