Bid to change 14 Beach Road, in Lowestoft, to eight-bedroom HMO approved

Plans for a new eight-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO) in a coastal town have been approved.

East Suffolk Council green lit the change of use proposals from Shreeve Property Ltd for 14 Beach Road, Lowestoft, from residential to a HMO on Tuesday.

The property, a mid-terrace former Samaritans building, is to the north end of Beach Road, just off the A47.

It is in close proximity to the town centre.

The basement will be used solely for storage.

The area is outside the town’s Flat Saturation Zone (FLZ).

A design and access statement said there is a need to develop more single person accommodation which is affordable, and the need for one-bedroom accommodation is the highest in the district.

The property will not be changed externally except for repairs and maintenance.

Lowestoft Town Council originally objected to the plans in November on the grounds of over development and a lack of additional parking spaces.

It later recommended approval of the application in June as it was not in the FLZ and Highways had said the parking provision was adequate.

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Developers have three years to begin the project.