AN APPLICATION seeking permission to use a property as a house of multiple occupation has been granted.

A bid for a certificate of lawfulness for the proposed conversion of the house on North Road, St Helens, to a six-bedroom HMO, was sent to council planners earlier this year.

A certificate of lawfulness is a means of obtaining a decision from a planning authority that a proposed use or works do not require planning permission.

A supporting statement by planning agents HAD n Co, submitted on behalf of applicants Karsan Assets Ltd, said: "The property exists as a six-bedroom dwellinghouse with two decent sized bedrooms on the ground floor with a living space and kitchen to the rear with a shower room in a single storey extension, three more large bedrooms to the first floor with a shared family bathroom and an existing attic conversion used as the sixth bedroom.

"It is proposed to use the property as a HMO under Permitted Development rights where the existing bedrooms will be altered where necessary to ensure they meet the minimum space requirements.

"Each bedroom will be enhanced to have its own ensuite, or separate bathroom should the space within the bedrooms not allow one. The existing living area and kitchen on the ground floor will provide the communal spaces and the rear garden will also act as additional outdoor amenity space for the proposed residents."

It was added: "The kitchen will move into the current living space, and the ground floor hallway will be made smaller to make the most use of the available space, and partition walls can be moved where necessary to ensure the communal space is adequate for six people sharing".

READ > Plans in to convert property

Meanwhile, the rest of the property "will undergo minor internal changes to ensure the rooms and spaces meet the minimum space standards and safety measures set by St Helen’s Council for HMOs, as well as having enough space and utilities for the residents to comfortably live and share".

All bedrooms will "meet the 10m² minimum space standards", plans say.

The statement added: "Any CCTV installed on the site will be done so in accordance with the relevant legislation.

"Outdoor PIR security lighting will be strategically positioned around the property to illuminate areas such as the entrances, parking spaces, garden and outdoor storage."

The plans concluded: "It is assured that the potential issues that could arise from the proposed HMO conversion can be suitably managed as much as is practical.

"The security measures proposed should give reassurance to the occupants and the neighbours that the safety of the area will not suffer as a result of the proposal".

In a report, planning officer Kim Vo said: "The Local Planning Authority are satisfied that the proposed change of use of the existing dwellinghouse under Class C3 to a small HMO under Class C4 at the application site would constitute as permitted development and would not require planning permission, providing it is not occupied by more than six residents at any one time.

"A Certificate of Lawfulness can therefore be granted."

The Star recently reported after amended plans for a HMO at a nearby former corner shop building were approved.