Plans to increase capacity of HMO are blocked

Plans to increase the capacity of a house of multi-occupancy (HMO) have been blocked.

An existing HMO in Upper George Street, Tyldesley, was the subject of an application to increase its capacity from six to eight people.

The original conversion of the property from a four bedroom house into a six-room HMO, which took place earlier this year, did not require planning permission, because council rules dictate that only proposals for more than six bedsits need council approval.

No other alterations would have been made to the mid-terrace property, and a planning officer said the changes would not be detrimental to the Tyldesley Conservation Area.

But the planning committee refused to grant permission for the extra two occupants, citing noise concerns as well as “general comings and goings” which would negatively impact neighbours.

A planning statement said: “The number of unrelated residents is considered to represent an over intensification of the use of the property which would generate levels of noise, disturbance and general comings and goings which would be detrimental to the amenities of the adjacent dwellings.”

Residents had expressed their concerns about the development on the council’s website. One neighbour said: “For the last [two] nights... we have had police hammering on the door and window of 6 Upper George Street at 10pm!

“This is a respectable street where we know our neighbours. It is only a few weeks since people have started to move into this HMO and we’re sure you can appreciate our concerns.”

Another furious resident wrote: “This is a residential street comprising of FAMILY houses and sheltered accommodation for the elderly.

“As there is a shortage of family homes is it right a FAMILY property should be made into a HMO.

“We have lived here happily for 23 years and an HMO in any capacity changes the dynamics of the street.

“Our concerns come from adjacent rooms in the property being used for different purposes and noise being a problem.

“Parking is already an issue with limited spaces and people regularly parking on double yellow lines. 8 people could mean 8 more cars.

“These are FAMILY terraced houses. Is it either healthy or hygienic for 6 to 8 adults who may not know each other to live in such close proximity? This is questionable in the currant covid situation and tier 3 restrictions we are in.

“Where are the guarantees that we will not be subject to anti social behaviour or worse with an HMO next door.”

An unrelated application to convert a former nightclub into an eight bedroom HMO in Chapel Street, a little more than 300ft away from Upper George Street, was withdrawn earlier this year amid objections from residents.

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