A proposal to transform a four-storey dwelling into accommodation for as many as seven residents will be examined by elected members shortly.

According to an assessment, Brighton and Hove City Council’s development control panel should approve the change of use for 19 New England Street, Brighton, to a house in multiple occupation.

The assessment noted the property currently operates as a temporary holiday rental although its lawful designation remains residential.

Within a 50-metre radius, six per cent of homes are currently HMOs. This falls short of the ten per cent threshold in West Hill and North Laine ward that would trigger a rejection aligned with council planning guidance.

In the broader surrounding area, just two per cent of dwellings function as shared residences, beneath the 20 per cent city-wide limit warranting refusal.

The requester, John Robinson, filed a planning statement through his representative Lewis and Co Planning.

The statement observed that the property would maintain its residential nature and the building would retain its function as a typical family home.

The document noted that New England Street features predominantly spacious residential buildings which generally house more occupants than conventional two-storey terrace properties.

Seven local residents opposed the scheme, raising issues including noise pollution, reduction in family housing stock, and rapid resident turnover.

One unnamed critic, whose information was removed by the council, commented that the locality was already prone to noise-related complaints. Several families with young children reside directly next to the property.

With its setting in a densely populated area near Brighton railway station, the additional foot traffic, nighttime activity and frequent resident changes typical of an HMO would directly and adversely impact neighbouring households.

Another unidentified objector, whose particulars were similarly redacted, warned that family residences were becoming increasingly hard to find and converting them into multi-occupancy developments would only aggravate this issue for local families seeking appropriate housing.

Such conversions also typically place greater demands on available parking, waste collection services and shared amenities, while higher resident turnover can undermine the established community character of an area.

The council’s planning committee is scheduled to gather at Hove Town Hall next Wednesday at 2pm. The session will be webcast.