Rumours over HMO in derelict building quashed

RUMOURS that a derelict building in Cramlington will be turned into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) for asylum seekers have been quashed.

- NICOLE GOODWIN

More than 100 concerned residents attended a meeting at East Cramlington Community Centre on Monday evening following speculation that the nearby Lancaster House was to be developed into a home for asylum seekers.

Several police officers were also present at the packed meeting which came after claims on social media that people had been seen entering the building at night. Residents had also been informed that the building was to become a HMO, it is claimed.

Now Damian Murray, who owns the building, has confirmed to the community that the building is being renovated to create private rental flats. Mr Murray told The Journal that he purchased the building two weeks ago and the plan is to complete a “cosmetic refurbishment” as there is “very little structural work that needs to be done’.

He plans for the work to be completed within six months.

Mr Murray said: “It's literally going to be refurbishment to each of the flats - new kitchen, new bathroom, decor etc. Once that’s done we'll put them onto the local property market with a local agent and rent them in the private rental sector for anyone that applies with a passport, referencing, and all the applicable documentation for legal registered tenants - as we have done on all of our developments.”