Former Wigan borough bank could be replaced by HMO

Leigh’s Royal Bank of Scotlnd closed back in 2019 alongside two other branches in Atherton and Hindley as 54 were axed across the country.

The Wigan branch closure has followed suit after the announcement from RBS earlier this year.

The Market Street site is right in the town centre but is far enough away from other HMOs in the area to warrant Wigan Council’s approval.

Each bedroom placed in the listed building would have en-suite facilities and there will be two kitchens available for the residents to use that are described as “reasonable” in size.

There is "little to no outside amenity space” and no allocated parking spaces for cars on the site.

A condition to reduce disturbances means “occupiers would be controlled to limit comings and goings and other disturbance”.

The smallest of the bedrooms proposed by applicant Akil Properties Ltd would be 11.9m sq and the largest 16.9m sq.

The two sets of six bedrooms would spread across the first and second floor of the three-storey building.

This would provide "smaller and affordable residential units” for people in the Leigh area, it is claimed.

“In conclusion, the proposed development is acceptable,” a planning report said.

”The proposal would not be an undue and dominant addition to the site.

"The proposal will not result in unacceptable amenity implications for future occupants or surrounding neighbours”, and highway safety would be maintained.