A closed social club in Newcastle-under-Lyme is set to be turned into a 15-bed HMO despite objections from residents and Staffordshire Police. 

Planners have ruled the former Silverdale Conservative Club on Church Street can be turned into 15 en-suite rooms with shared kitchen and dining areas. 

There had been 55 objections from residents made to Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire Police objected to the development based on "the high levels of anti-social behaviour in the area". 

The officer report permitting the application said: "The application seeks permission for a change of use of a former conservative club to a 15 bed HMO (C4 use class). 

"The application site is an attractive 2 storey detached building, which is located within Silverdale. 

"The site falls within the urban area of the borough and is within the Silverdale Conservation Area, as identified by the Local Development Framework Proposals Map."

There had been 55 objections to the proposals. (Nub News)

The report also acknowledged the objections but stated the proposal is considered to be acceptable in respect of highway safety and parking provision.

The statement added: "The proposal would be in accordance the housing policies set out in the councils CSS and would provide small contribution to the councils housing supply. 

"The proposal would not result in any adverse impacts in respect of amenity, visual impact or highways matters. 

"It is therefore concluded that the benefits of the proposal outweigh any harm in the planning balance and that the proposal is a sustainable form of development." 

A statement from Staffordshire Police submitted prior to approval said: "The application does not provide any information regarding the proposed tenants, the management, the security of the site or the amenities available for the tenants. All of which are influential in operating a large HMO.

"Badly managed HMOs can result in reports of noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour, which will impact the local community and the community cohesion.

"It is recognised that parking is an issue in the area, especially with Brighton House and St Luke's Church opposite the proposed site, the area already has limited parking available for the existing residents and visitors to the area."

Read the full application here.

------

READ: Moorcroft expects production to restart 'soon'

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stoke Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our city.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - or just click the green 'SUBSCRIBE' button.

Please consider following Stoke Nub News on Facebook, X or Instagram.