S锘縰nderland jewellery store flat plan rejected

Image source, Google

Image caption, 锘縏he former Herbert Brown store has been empty for two years

P锘縧ans to convert a former jewellery store building into flats have been rejected.

S锘縰nderland City Council said the proposed six-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) for up to 12 people on Waterloo Place was "sub-standard".

It is the second conversion plan for the former Herbert Brown shop, which has been vacant for two years, to be refused planning permission by the council.

Eight people had objected to the plan, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Each bedroom would have had an en-suite room with toilet聽and shower facilities while there would have been a communal kitchen area.

Reasons for objection had included an 鈥渙verconcentration鈥 of HMOs in the city centre, increased anti-social behaviour impacting on businesses and noise and disturbance.

Nearby Norfolk Street Studios said the plans, if approved, would 鈥渦ndermine鈥 investment being made into the Sunniside area and 鈥渕ake a mockery of all Sunderland is striving to achieve as a city鈥.

Sunderland City Council鈥檚 planning department refused it on several grounds including 鈥渋nadequate provision鈥 for refuse storage and the 鈥渟ub-standard level of accommodation and amenity鈥 for potential occupiers.