An empty shop and residential building in the Pill area of Newport could be redesigned to create a six-bedroom HMO.

Applicant A Orlicka is seeking change-of-use planning permission for the property at 6 Alexandra Road, which currently comprises a ground-floor retail unit and a five-bedroom home upstairs.

HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) are typically properties for between three and six single, unrelated adults who have their own private bedrooms but share other communal areas.

Plans show a large front-facing bedroom on each of the two upper floors would be divided to create new bedrooms, and one existing top-floor bedroom would be converted into a ‘flood refuge room’.

On the ground floor, the vacant retail unit would be transformed into a communal lounge, home office, and two bin stores; while an existing kitchen and living room area would be retained at the rear.

In a supporting statement, planning agent KW Dorrington Architectural Associates said the “large” property” is close to public transport and shops, and the proposed HMO would provide “much-needed housing”.

The agent argued there is a “demand for this type of residential accommodation”, and HMOs offer “cost-effective, convenient, flexible” housing.

If the partly retrospective application is approved, the agent said the property “will not be let to an agency – the tenants will be sourced by the applicant, managed by the applicant and be the responsibility of the applicant”.

The application is currently out for consultation, and can be viewed on the Newport City Council website under reference 26/0345.