AIBU to object to a large co-living dwvelopment near my home?

[Mathsdebator]

I live in the North East. The local paper published an article yesterday about someone applying to turn a shop near me into a "large co-living development' with 18 rooms and communal area. Aimed at young professionals apparently and they're denying it's a HMO.

It's obviously a HMO

There's no parking. The space is small. It's 3 minutes walk from a primary school. I've looked up the developers - they're based in London.

Would you object?

Yes, I rented rooms from live in landlords, shared kitchen etc. Not 'really cheap' because this was London and I was at university (couldnt afford the halls)

Nothing wrong with that, and nothing wrong with good solid developments, but even looking at streetview the site simply doesnt look big enough for 18 rooms, with ensuite, with communal areas, with outside space

And as others have said, 'cheap housing' is abundant in the area anyway. How much cheaper is it going to be?

41 crimes in January according the street check tool

Most of which were antisocial behaviour on the industrial park where the kids gather in their cars or shoplift

41 crimes in January according the street check toolbox do you different that data? I couldn't drill down much further.

Forget all the stuff about HMOs, You may be right, but the planning application currently says it's for young professionals, so any comments or complaints you make about HMOs will just be ignored by the council. Don't waste any more time on it for now.

Concentrate on things they will take into account. Parking, and the knock on effect on the local parking situation and consequent traffic congestion is something you can raise concerns about.

Also things like the provision of rubbish and recycling bins. Will there be adequate provision,, will there be too many bins blocking the pavement and access. Will there be too few bins resulting in rubbish overflowing everywhere.

If permission is granted then there would have to be a further application made if they then want to turn it into an HMO later. You can bring up all the HMO worries at that point, but for now focus on the material considerations only. They may sound boring, but you will get nowhere unless you know how the system works.

You can also raise your concerns with your local councillor.

We have a large one down the road form us which is near three schools (if that's relevant), lots of people objected but I can't say that there has been any disruption or any increase in crime since they have been there. We barely notice them. The three houses have been done beautifully which large amounts of driveway at the front and a large communal gardens at the back. I can't even tell you what any of them look like but I do believe that they are needed as where are people without a house deposit or local parents supposed to live?

Use the street check website - shows them
on a map and by type , if you expand you can click into each incident

Just looking at the plans for the development and honestly I think you are worrying (understandably) unnecessarily - they are going to be doing a lot of additional development to the site , adding a second floor and balconies etc so to me at least it doesn’t seem like they’re setting up some sort of half way house

🤷🏻‍♀️. I lived in a city centre for years and years. When I got to a point of thinking it was too noisy, too crowded, too run down I moved to the countryside. If you want to stay then stay but I think you need to accept there will be more development in such an area.

https://online-applications.sunderland.gov.uk/online-applications/files/C2BA798A10A79F0DAD24DCD1DA6081DA/pdf/26_00501_FUL-PLANNING_AND_DESIGN_AND_ACCESS_STATEMENT_NEWCASTLE_ROAD-1845007.pdf

Hopefully you can open this and it allay some of your concerns , parking proposal mentions monthly passes for the metro carpark over the road etc and it really does look quite smart

not sure why youre saying this

I think if you are to make an objection you should be investigating in the planning application how the developers propose to look at the end of section 21 notices. What sort of conditions are they intending to those who are renting in the property and how they plan to enforce it.

You should also look into things like charging for communal facilities- if it seems that there is a management company who can suddenly hike the level, then that brings into question whether the sudden inability to pay rent/charges is more likely. People just waiting to be evicted or more likely to be could be homeless and a burden on the local authority.

Check also things like drainage, other environmental matters, how many toilets/bathrooms.

I didnt understand the parking comments until we had this isdue

people take accommodation with no parking when they actually have a car! Then they park on grass and stuff its bonkers and then complain theres no parking

@Mathsdebator I had a feeling it might be this proposed development before I opened the thread. I would have concerns if I lived nearby (I'm on the other side of the river) and the local councillors appear to have concerns too as they have called the planning application in for a full review. I know two of the local councillors and I do think they will scrutinise the planning application. It must be fun in your house today living with a Geordie!

@Mathsdebatori know the area and totally get where you’re coming from based on problems that have occurred in HMOs on Roker Ave, I’m assuming that’s what you’re thinking of? I cannot see why ‘professionals’ would house share in that area when they could rent (or even buy) relatively cheaply especially if they go slightly further to Monkwearmouth I’m sure you can buy a small cottage there there for under £100k literally round the corner from the chip shop

Haha - he's gutted at the score!

Interesting about the councillors. I hope they do scrutinise the plans heavily. I hate coming across as not wanting people to have somewhere to live but I also know how quickly things can get shit up here

But they can't scrutinise that way

You have no idea who the landlord is going to rent to - that's it.

We know someone who son lives in a similar set up he's a trainee accountant. But his is a converted office building on a High Street. He's saving up to buy and he just says he doesn't really want to know any of the neighbours works very long hours and tends to hang around at his parents at the weekend.

There's places like this in London - like at Old Oak. Don't think there is any particular trouble at them, they are for young professionals

You can object, but in my experience it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference. In the past 5 years there have been over 2000 homes built within a 3 mile radius of my town. Every application had tons of objections, but it doesn't matter. It's merely a box ticking exercise for a development that is going to happen regardless.

FYI, London isn't Sunderland. Experience of something in London does not translate to the same thing in Sunderland.

Hth

A lot around here, in London. I don’t think anyone’s going to be interested that there’s a local primary school. Residents take priority.

What an awful country we are. Won't building housing for the next generation. Then object to HMOs which are a consequence of the housing crisis.

And people who can’t afford Durham and Newcastle prices will live in Sunderland and Hartlepool to save money. I know someone who works in Durham but moved to Sunderland. There will be professionals. I admit I don’t know Sunderland well but I used to live in Middlesbrough so have some idea.

You are being prejudiced OP.
I am sure that the planning application will have explicit details of building proposal.

Cheap houses are no use if you’re need to move locations every 6 or 12 months earlier in your career, as many doctors do. Or those on graduate training programmes perhaps, who don’t want to buy in the location they’re working?

Who said anything about buying, you can get a rental for under 400 a month, room or joint tenancy

What on earth would young professionals need to use a development like this?

Even shop workers/cleaners/NMW staff can afford a rental in Sunderland, its not expensive.