Bid submitted to legalise five-bedroom HMO on Salthouse Road
A retrospective planning application has been submitted to legalise the use of a Barrow property as a 5 bedroom house in multiple occupation.
The proposal relates to 32 Salthouse Road and is now awaiting a decision from Westmorland and Furness Council.
Retrospective permission is being sought because the property is already being used as an HMO.
Five people could live at the property
The application seeks approval for the building to continue operating as a five-bedroom HMO.
A house in multiple occupation is a property rented by several people who are not from one household. Residents will normally have their own bedrooms but share facilities such as a kitchen or living space.
Smaller HMOs can sometimes operate without full planning permission. However, permission may be required depending on the number of occupants, the type of use and local planning controls.
The application at 32 Salthouse Road asks the council to formally approve the existing use of the house.
Council will assess impact of HMO
Planning officers are expected to consider whether the property provides suitable living conditions for its occupants.
They may also look at the size and layout of the bedrooms, shared facilities, bin storage and access to outdoor space.
Other issues could include parking demand, noise and the possible impact on neighbouring homes.
The council must consider the application on planning grounds. The fact that the use has already started does not mean permission will automatically be granted.
If the proposal is refused, the authority could consider whether further planning enforcement action is needed.
Concerns over number of HMOs in Barrow
The application comes amid wider debate about the number of shared homes being created across parts of Barrow.
Supporters say HMOs can provide flexible and lower-cost accommodation. They may be particularly useful for workers moving to the town for employment or short and medium-term contracts.
However, residents and councillors have raised concerns about concentrations of HMOs on some streets. Common issues include pressure on parking, waste storage and the loss of family homes.
Barrow Town Council has objected to separate HMO applications elsewhere in the town where members believed there was already a high concentration of shared properties.
Decision remains pending
No final decision has yet been made on the application for 32 Salthouse Road.
Residents can search for the proposal, view its documents and submit comments through Westmorland and Furness Council’s Barrow planning system while consultation remains open.
The council says its online register allows people to examine plans, track an application and comment before a decision is reached.
Planning officers will decide whether the existing five-bedroom HMO is acceptable or whether changes, conditions or further action are required.
