Sunderland City Council has denied plans to convert a newsagents into bedsits due to a lack of financial contribution for coastal wildlife protection.
The Chester News site on Chester Road was set to be changed into two bedsits. Initially, the plan included three bedsits with en-suite bathrooms.
Concerns about a lack of communal space led to revised plans. The new proposal included a kitchen/lounge area and separate bathroom facilities.
Last year, the council approved the plans but required a financial contribution for coastal mitigation. This was to help protect local ecology from new residential developments.
The applicant needed to pay £248.72 for each additional bedspace. If they didn’t pay by January 21, 2025, the application would be denied.
A recent decision confirmed that the required contribution was not made. The council stated that without this, the development would harm protected sites.
Councillor Ehthesham Haque raised concerns about parking issues from tenants living in the small property. He expressed relief that the plans were not moving forward.
The ground floor of the building is currently vacant, while the first floor has a residential flat. The council previously noted that the application met HMO policies.
For more details on the planning refusal, visit Sunderland City Council’s planning portal and search reference: 24/00480/FUL.
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