Story: Rohan Francis
Plans to convert a three storey office building on Pitsmoor Road into a ‘House in Multiple Occupation’ (HMO) and ground floor shop were approved by planners on 11th August after a third application for ‘change of use’ was finally given consent.
The building, which was previously the offices of Wilson Tupholme Limited, occupies 290-308 Pitsmoor Road, opposite the derelict Pitsmoor Working Men's Club. The ground floor is currently in use as World Class Foods.
The latest application was made by the shop's owner who sought permission to continue trading on the ground floor and convert the upper storeys into shared accommodation for 18 people.
Proposals
The plans show limited changes to the ground floor including new staff toilets (plus a disabled facility), and an entrance ramp for wheelchair users. Outside, the shop's awning and grocery stalls will be removed as they were built without planning approval. Ground floor windows will be enlarged and the entrance doorway renewed.
Upstairs, changes to the existing layout will be more extensive. Each of the two upper floors will be converted into nine single bedrooms creating accommodation for 18 tenants. One room on each floor will be made into an open plan kitchen/dining/living room for residents to share. The architect's drawings show a total of three toilets, one bath and one shower on each floor. The proposals also include the replacement of upper floor windows and an outside garden area to the rear of the building, which will occupy part of the existing car park.
Local objections
Neighbouring residents were notified of the proposals in June this year. Over half of those contacted objected to this or previous similar proposals made by the applicant. All expressed a strong opposition to the HMO, voicing concerns at the high concentration of shared housing locally and the negative impact that another HMO would have on the existing community. Planning documents do not show any residents in favour.
Many respondents did support the continuation of the shop, although concerns were raised over unmanaged organic waste and discarded packaging.
In response to residents' concerns, Council Planners insisted that the concentration of HMO premises in the vicinity of the site (within a 200m radius) was “significantly less than the 20% threshold permissible” and this application would therefore be acceptable. Other issues such as waste disposal are to be regulated under specific conditions set down in the approval document – for full details see application number 11/01912/FUL on Sheffield City Council’s planning website.
Support for residents
The Council sets limits for the amount of HMO in an area to prevent a high concentration of temporary residents, for example students. Without support for more vulnerable tenants, developments can have a negative impact on both their residents and the community as a whole.
The Messenger spoke to the owners of the shop and building, who said support would be on offer for residents,
“We’re helping the community as the rooms will be for elderly members of the Yemeni Community. We will be providing support with language and translation we’ll also help with things like taking people to the doctors. We are connected with the Yemeni Community Association, so there will be support there as well. We also expect to be supporting members of the Sudanese community.”
They explained that the Council had now sorted more bins for the shop, and that the building will meet all the HMO requirements. They expect the work on the building to be completed in a month.