GREEN LIGHT FOR 'HIGH STANDARD' HOSTEL FOR WINDFARM CONTRACTORS DESPITE BARRAGE OF PROTESTS FROM NEIGHBOURS

The house at the centre of the controversy

CONSENT has been granted for a controversial plan to convert a house in Cleethorpes to a hostel for offshore windfarm workers.

Residents of Queen's Parade are up in arms over the proposal by a Leicestershire firm - Your Elite Space Properties Ltd  - to change the use of the large end-of-terrace property at 21 Queens Parade to a seven- bedroom house in multiple occupation.

Their main complaint is the likely increase in parking pressure, but  fears have also been expressed over potential fire risk, noise, overcrowding, structural stability and reduced water pressure.

However, North East Lincolnshire  Council this week approved the scheme submitted by Liverpool architect Mr Giovanni
Patania on behalf of Mr Richard Stretton of Your Elite.

Says his application statement: "The vision of the developer is to create a high standard house of multiple occupancy which will provide home-from-home accommodation for offshore windfarm contractors.

"Windfarm contractors require housing all year round and need to secure accommodation months in advance. 

"In 2020, the windfarms will be expanding. This will bring more workers to the area. 

"To benefit the local economy, we want to ensure they have somewhere, of high quality,  to stay whilst working."

It continues: "This would also provide  a fantastic opportunity to renovate a building in order to prevent it from deteriorating while fully respecting the character of the accommodation and the street in which it is situated.

"The building is located in a fantastic position. 

"In order to promote green mobility, the proposed development has an area in the backyard which will be designated for  bike racks to hold all bikes owned by the tenants. 

"The rear yard will also be used to accommodate bins which will be concealed from the street so that  the character of the area will not be adversely affected."

The bedrooms will be ensuite, but it is understood that the kitchen/dining and living area will be shared.

It is not known when work will start on the renovations and refurbishment.