HMO plans for fire-hit St Helens Street buildings refused
Plans to convert two fire-damaged buildings in Ipswich into a 16-bed shared home have been refused by councillors, who overturned officer advice and dismissed the proposal as "nonsense."
Why it matters: Ipswich Borough Council's planning committee voted 10 to one on Wednesday to refuse the application for the St Helens Street buildings, overturning a recommendation for approval from planning officers.
The details: Hamilton Chase Investments Ltd sought permission to convert the buildings into a 16-bed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), with the demolition and replacement of several extensions also forming part of the scheme.
Planning officers said that although there was already an over-concentration of shared homes in the area, bringing a vacant, fire-damaged building back into viable use tipped the scales in favour of the development.
What they're saying: Helen Taylor, speaking on behalf of the applicant, told the committee the conversion was the only viable option and described it as an ideal opportunity to provide accommodation for young people who could not afford their own home.
Cllr Adam Rae said the council's restrictions existed for a reason and called the plans "just nonsense." Cllr Colin Kreidewolf said that while renovating the buildings would be positive for the area, it would not improve the lives of residents.
For context: In 2024, Ipswich Borough Council approved extra restrictions on converting homes into HMOs in order to control their number across the town.
The bottom line: The fire-hit buildings on St Helens Street remain vacant and without a clear path back into use after councillors rejected the only scheme put forward.
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