An Albert Road property could host retail facilities on the ground floor, whilst housing students on the upper floors.
Permission has previously been granted by both Middlesbrough Council and Middlesbrough Development Corporation (MDC) to transform the building on Albert Road from offices into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). MDC approval came following the transfer of planning powers from one authority to the other. Separate planning documents detail that work on the development began in October 2024.
Full planning permission is now being sought specifically in relation to the ground floor, which would see a change of use and reconfiguration. It’s understood that until 2014, the ground floor was used by a recruitment consultant, while the upper floors were used by a law firm until 2017. While previously, the entire building was set for HMO use, under new proposals, the ground floor will have a retail function, but will also hold a cycle store, plant room, communal area, as well as an entrance foyer to the building’s student accommodation.
The planning statement for the application, currently under review by MDC, explains that the majority of the works are internal and that there are “only a few changes to the external elevations”. The student accommodation entrance will be separated from the commercial entrance.
Documents add: “The ground floor will consist of a retail area and entrance foyer to the student accommodation with separate communal area and laundry room at the front of the building. The cycle store will be accessible via the front student accommodation entrance and a side entrance from the gated alley connection to Dundas Mews.”
As is a common theme amongst proposals in the town centre, papers explain that the proposals will provide both retail and residential use. MDC planning officers are expected to issue a decision on the proposed project, although it is possible for the plans to go in front of the relevant planning committee, depending on the number of objections the proposal receives.
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