Humberside Police and local councillors have objected to plans to convert the former Portland Hotel in Hull into a 122-bed HMO
The controversial proposals, which remain under consideration at Hull City Council, have also been criticised by a number of local councillors.
In June, the council received an planning application seeking to breathe new life into the vacant building in Paragon Street in Hull city centre. The submitted plans detail applicant Knight Wood Portfolio Limited’s ambitions to transform the “eyesore” building into a colossal 122-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO).
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Report from Insider Media.
The building was converted from a hotel to student accommodation in 2013 but the operator experienced financial difficulty and the property was sold at auction in 2018. Following the change of ownership, there were allegations of a fraudulent investment scheme, while the building was also raided by Humberside Police as the first floor was being used as a cannabis factory.
Because of its residential density, form and location the proposal would potentially lead to an increase in crime levels and a fear of crime and anti-social behaviour within the surrounding area. "This is because of the correlation between houses in multiple occupation (with large numbers of single occupancy) and increases in crime and disorder, and in this case the existing high levels of crime within the St Andrews and Docklands Ward, as confirmed by Humberside Police."
