Student accommodation in Lincoln to become flats and HMO

A block of student flats in Lincoln will be converted into an HMO and flats.

Portland Halls, which are located on Portland Street, currently contains 19 halls of residence.

Applicant C Student Services Ltd has asked that it be given permission for the building to be split into three separate flats and a home of multiple occupancy (HMO).

Plans submitted by the company would create a seven-bed HMO on the ground floor, two four-bedroom flats on the first floor and another four-bed on the second floor.

No reason has been given in the application for the change of use.

The building, which is located close to the lower High Street, has been used by students for more than 20 years.

However, the University of Lincoln has previously said there is a surplus of student accommodation in the city.

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A House of Multiple Occupancy is one where three or more people from different households live together, sharing living facilities such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Special planning permission is now required to convert family homes or other accommodation into HMOs, following a rule change by the City of Lincoln Council in 2016.

This is designed to stop the spread of unregistered and unlicensed HMOs and protect tenants’ rights.

The Portland Street application has been approved by council officers.

In 2023, there were over 3500 student beds in the city, which was considered more than enough to keep pace with the growing student population.

Other plans have gained permission since then and a student village has opened to serve Bishop Grosseteste University.

The Gateway building is also expected to open later this year after students were forced to leave in October 2022 over fire safety concerns.