Victorian villa could become 27-bed HMO

A Victorian villa could be converted into a house in multiple occupancy (HMO) with accommodation for 27 people, under plans.

The Hullywood Rooms hotel, in Park Row, Hull, was built in 1862 and previously used as a doctor's surgery.

A previous attempt to convert the building into a 32-bed HMO was turned down in 2023 after planning officers criticised a proposed extension to the building. A scaled-down application for 23 bedrooms was approved in January 2024, but not acted on.

Townglow Ltd, the applicant, said the latest proposal would "retain a viable use" for the building and would not require external changes.

According to the company's application, the building would be used "to provide much-needed, easily affordable accommodation" in a residential location and this meant the proposal was consistent with the council's Local Plan, which guides development.

All of the bedrooms would have en-suite facilities and there would be 12 parking spaces.

A council report in 2023 said the building had previously been at risk of demolition and had "architectural interest" as a surviving 19th Century villa in an area which had been cleared of much of its Victorian development.

A consultation will run until 30 September.

The application comes amid calls from some councillors for tougher regulation on HMOs.

While not commenting on this specific application, Shane McMurray, the Labour ward councillor, said tighter rules were essential to protect both private tenants and local communities, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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