Go-ahead for Scarborough guesthouse to become a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO)

M C Ventures Ltd applied to the authority to get the change of use for 136 North Marine Road to allow it to be used to house eight individuals.

The council’s planning committee was today asked to make the decision as it would be the fourth HMO within a 100-metre radius, going against council policy.

Decision on bid for more homes at the High Mill estate: see HEREHowever, the councillors were told that one of the HMOs was right on the 100-metre boundary and if the application property was at 134 rather than 136 then there would be no conflict.

Four members of the public objected to the change of use, with some of them concerned about the loss of holiday accommodation in a tourist area.

A report prepared for the council noted that the property had not been holiday accommodation for a number of years.

It added: “The applicant’s agent has confirmed that the applicant purchased the property in July 2018 on the understanding that the property was already in a HMO use, having been a home for adults with learning disabilities since 2015.

“Prior to this, the guesthouse had been used as temporary accommodation for homeless persons, since 2009.”

The committee approved the change of use.