West Northamptonshire Council has approved the conversion of a commercial property in Northampton into shared residential accommodation.
Kingswood House, located in Cliftonville, will be transformed from its former use as offices into a house in multiple occupations (HMO) that accommodates up to 23 residents. The building previously housed an insurance firm, a fertility clinic, and a laser eye surgery business.
The development will reconfigure the property into five shared flats. These will include a four-bedroom unit on the lower ground floor, two three-bedroom units on the ground floor, an eight-bedroom unit on the first floor, and a five-bedroom unit on the second floor. All bedrooms will be en suite, and each flat will have shared kitchen and living areas. Two communal laundry rooms will be available to all residents.
The conversion is mainly internal, with only minor alterations planned for the building’s exterior. The property will retain 15 on-site parking spaces. The first floor has already been stripped of its internal services in preparation for redevelopment.
The council considers HMOs a critical part of the local housing strategy, particularly for students, young professionals, and others requiring short- to medium-term accommodation. This project is expected to support demand in the area’s pressured rental market.
