A CORRINGHAM guest house is set to be turned into a 17-befroom HMO. Thurrock planning officers have given the go ahead for a change of use for Gower Lodge in Herd Lane to be turned into a “large house of multiple occupation” reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Applicant, Quest Property Group Ltd also has the go ahead to install a new external staircase on the building close to the junction with Fobbing Road.
The site is close to the nearby Corringham Conservation Area and Metropolitan Green Belt. but does not fall within them.
The exterior of the building would remain unchanged with the exception of the south facing side where an external staircase would be sited along with a new external doorway at first floor level. The staircase is in addition to one at the rear of the building but is not considered harmful to the character or appearance of the building.
The guest house currently provides 16 guest bedrooms across two floors.
The applications shows the ground floor would have a communal utility room, kitchen, lounge and dining area with access to the rear garden. A total of seven bedrooms would be on the ground floor, all with ensuites. A further ten bedrooms would be sited on the first floor. These would all have ensuites with an additional communal shower room. The proposal would allow for “up to and not exceeding 17 occupants”.
A report by planning officers said: “The exterior of the host building would not be altered as a result of the proposal. The resulting visual impacts would be acceptable in terms of design and appearance and would not be detrimental to the character of the site.
“Suitable residential provisions would be provided for future occupiers in terms of internal amenity space. Neighbouring amenity would not be impacted above what is already experienced by virtue of the site operating as a guest house. Parking provision is deemed acceptable.”
