AN abandoned office building in Colchester could be turned into a large bedsit if plans are given the greenlight – although some residents fear it could bring trouble.

Blueprints have been submitted to Colchester Council with a view of transforming Ryegate House, in St Peter’s Street, into a House in Multiple Occupation site.

This means the complex, which would be comprised of 27 studio bedrooms, would have some communal and shared facilities, including a kitchen and wash room.

The proposals suggest seven rooms will be on the ground floor while the remaining 20 will be evenly split over the first and second floors.

Gazette:

Each individual space will be self-contained and able to accommodate up to two people, meaning the building could be home to more than 40 tenants at a time.

The derelict and eyesore site was previously used by Essex Probation Services but has been empty for several years and its windows are currently boarded up.

Aside from introducing doors to enable tenants to access the bin and cycle stores, however, plans suggest the frontages of the building will remain unchanged.

Following the submission of the application, surrounding residents have been encouraged to take part in a consultation in order to have their say on the proposal.

One said: “Although I agree offices are no longer needed in Colchester, the other buildings here have been converted into fewer but larger flats.

“There is no parking for 27 more cars in the Dutch Quarter and they will have cars, despite the push for bikes.

“My other concern is noise and anti-social behaviour from the tenants, which is common in these premises. This is a peaceful residential street with families.

“How will the tenants be managed and monitored? Will there be an onsite live-in manager?”

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Another resident opposed to the development also cited what they believe is a potential for anti-social behaviour as concern.

They said: “It is not in keeping with the local area and in my experience HMOs are not look after and are often vandalised.

“They also have a high turnover of tenants, sometimes with drug issues, causing crime to increase around the HMO.

“I am very concerned it will be a half-way house for criminals, which is what I have experienced in the past.

“I cannot stress enough the problems an HMO will bring to the area, especially one of this size.”