Norwich City Council’s planning committee voted unanimously to allow Suhel Aklakuzzaman to continue letting 44 Ipswich Road in Tuckswood as an eight-person House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

The property had been operating without the necessary consent since 2022, with several neighbours lodging objections about the behaviour of some tenants.

44 Ipswich Road in Norwich has operated as a HMO for years (Image: Google)

They raised concerns about regular parties with loud music running late into the night and motorbikes being revved in the garden. 

One resident said occupants had created "an atmosphere of freedom that encroaches on the neighbours", while another described a persistent "party atmosphere" at the property.

An agent speaking on behalf of Mr Aklakuzzaman sought to reassure councillors, saying the motorcycle noise had only been an issue in the early days and that tenants - mostly young professionals - are now individually vetted.

Norwich City Council has allowed the HMO to continue operating (Image: Newsquest)

Prior to becoming a HMO, the detached house spent more than three decades as a group home for MENCAP, a charity supporting adults with learning disabilities, before the organisation left the site in December 2021.

Approval was granted subject to conditions, including a binding requirement for the landlord to address any future anti-social behaviour.

The ruling comes amid growing concern about the growing number of HMOs across Norwich.

South Norfolk Council, which covers some of the outskirts, has launched a separate investigation into limiting them, after warnings that house shares are damaging community life in areas including Bowthorpe and Costessey.

© Eastern Daily Press