Developers with permission to build flats in a distinctively triangular-shaped building have asked for permission to use the site for a six-room shared house of multiple occupation instead.

Freedom Holdings Ltd wants to use the triangular cleared site in the corner of Swindon Road and Dover Street in Old Town for a building, somewhat reminiscent of the Flat-iron building in New York, for the shared house.

The company bought the plot last year, along with planning permission for two flats.

But the company’s application to change the permission says: “On examination of the finances the two flats were deemed not viable as the revised permission is for a one bedroomed flat and a two bedroomed flat, and so the project was put on hold.

 We have looked at the option of turning the building into an HMO which does work out to be financially viable. To that end this application seeks to change the proposed building an HMO with six large double bedrooms.”

The submitted plans show, if permitted, the building would feature three bedrooms on ground floor, two on first floor, along with a kitchen-diner and a bedroom on third floor.

All the bedrooms feature their own ensuite lavatory and shower.

The proposals include a lockable cycle store for six bikes, but no car parking.