HMO plan for former pub

A new plan to turn a converted pub into an eight-bed HMO has been put forward.

The application by Kerry Harris would see the former Berwick Arms pub on the corner of Bath Road and Stanley Street turn from a five-bed house into a house of multiple occupation (HMO).

The pub closed in early 2011 and stayed empty until plans by developer Peter Styles to turn the former watering hole into a four-bed house were backed by the city council two years later.

The inside of the now five-bed house would be altered to include eight tiny bedrooms ranging from just under 13 square metres to 14 and at most slightly under 16 square metres with shared kitchen, toilets and dining room.

Despite the small size of the rooms, the national standards for HMO bedrooms are 6.51 square metres for one person and 10.22 square metres for two-people rooms – with the council’s own standards accepting rooms of just 11 square metres.

The current home has two parking spaces and no extra room would be provided under the new proposals – despite highways officers at Worcestershire County Council saying the new HMO plan would need at least four to meet standards.

The application said that despite the lack of parking, it would ‘still be acceptable’ as it was in a “highly sustainable location” close to regular bus services, shops, takeaways and playing fields.

A statement included with the application said: “The proposal seeks to make no internal or external alterations to the current property as the building in its current form is deemed operational for its proposed use.

“As a result of the application being approved the dwelling will play host to eight individual residents potentially from different families, each having their own bedroom but sharing facilities and amenities such as living areas, kitchens, outside amenity space and bathrooms.

“As a result of the development and due to the fact no external alterations are sought, there will be no proposed alteration to the hard and soft landscaping that is currently found on site.”

You can have your say on the plan by visiting Worcester City Council’s website.

The application number is 22/01053/FUL and consultation ends on December 30.