Wigan flats plan dropped following residents’ criticism

A planning application to turn 4 Rose Street, Ince, into an HMO has been withdrawn following objections from residents

A house in Rose Street, Ince, had been earmarked for conversion into an HMO (House in Multiple Occupancy) as part of a planning application submitted to Wigan Council.

Had the plan gone ahead, it would have involved a two-storey rear extension and one-storey side extension to No.4 Rose Street, converting it from a two-bedroom end of terrace house into seven bedsits with a shared kitchen and bathroom,

But the plan, which objectors said showed a “total disregard to the residents” in the cul-de-sac, has now been withdrawn.

Among the concerns raised by Rose Street residents were parking issues, the prospect of overflowing bins and antisocial behaviour.

One local, who has lived on Rose Street for more than 30 years, said: “The idea of a HMO in a small quiet residential street such as Rose Street is ridiculous and shows a total disregard to the residents of the street.

“Myself and my family have lived in this street for over 30 years, as have a number of other residents who have chosen to remain here for so long due to the lovely character and quietness of the street making it a nice area to live

in.”

They added: “To convert one of the street’s terraced houses into a HMO containing seven bedsits ... can only result in problems with noise, parking, undesirables, rubbish levels - leading to rats etc.

“We have already had trouble and a regular police presence in the street and I can’t understand why you would want to exacerbate this problem by converting a two up two down terraced house.”

Another concerned local, who has lived in Rose Street for 45 years, said: “The noise levels of (seven) rooms of people in one small property I believe will directly be an issue to myself.

“Old terraced houses are not designed to contain noise levels, therefore to increase noise levels by seven times would be a risk to myself.

“Many children and elderly people live in the street, taking into consideration the above points, I believe this plan would be a risk.”

The development was branded “an absolutely terrible idea” by another resident, who said: “Having been a resident here for over 15 years, and with a young family, there is already enough trouble from the flats across the road, with a regular police presence, we really don’t want or need anything else.”

The objections can be read in full at planning.wigan.gov.uk using the reference code A/20/88477/FULL.