2 weeks Ago
An empty town centre building owned by a local councillor has been granted permission to turn into a HMO. The seven-bedroom HMO will be located in the currently vacant floors above Popstar takeaway on Bradshawgate. It will cover two floors with a dining and kitchen room on the first floor and another communal room above on the second floor.
Both communal rooms are at the front of the house so that bedrooms are not overlooking Bradshawgate. The proposal was brought before the planning committee on Thursday, April 10, because it’s owned by Cllr Mohammed Ayub. The property is currently vacant and has fallen into disrepair (Image: Bolton Council) Greater Manchester Police objected to the application based on the “propensity of alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.
” Cllr David Wilkinson spoke to suggest that the house have “decent” noise protection – and a stronger door than the timber one proposed. He said: “It’s not really a quiet little place on a Friday or Saturday night – on the front windows we have to have decent levels of noise protection. “There are some licensing policing matters that take place on Bradshawgate – occasionally.
The HMO will have seven bedrooms and two communal spaces (Image: Bolton Council) “A timber door does not sound very robust to me. “It's a narrow entrance in there and I would like to see something a little bit more secure, so that when people go through it – residents – they are secure. “Timber doors can be taken out in one good kick – simple as that.
” The planning application includes a video intercom for the new front door to create secure access for residents into the entrance tunnel from Bradshawgate. View of the entrance area to the property (Image: Bolton Council) Have a story? Get in touch at eoin.mccaul@newsquest.
co.uk Cllr Wilkinson said he hopes that the entrance tunnel is better lit when the property is turned into a home. He added: “And the amenity area – I hope they clear it up – because it’s really sparkling at the moment.
“And I wouldn’t like that to be a dark spot because of the various issues that can take place.” Cllr Emily Mort spoke in favour of the application, saying that the space standards for HMOs are “fully met” and “in many cases, exceeded”. She said: “Having considered the application and many other HMOs – and it’s not unknown that I’ve stood up in full council and spoken my thoughts about poorly sized poorly managed HMOs A dormer will be added to add more space to bedroom six (Image: Bolton Council) READ MORE: Blackrod 'monstrosity' house construction frustrates locals READ MORE: Bolton Council refuse house extension to care for elderly father READ MORE: Marks and Spencer plans discussed as part of Crompton Place plans “But I will say again they are a very important part of the town centre development, of the borough wide development as a whole.
” The application was passed unanimously by the committee, subject to the conditions recommended in the planning officer’s report. These conditions include that the property must have “appropriate noise mitigation”, safe and secure access and a bike storage facility for at least eight bikes..
