A former pub in Stacksteads could be transformed into bedsits, according to a proposal set to be reviewed by borough councillors next week. In a separate development, an old bakery located in Haslingden's Conservation Area might also be converted into a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) and a new retail unit.
These housing plans are scheduled for review by Rossendale Council's development committee on November 12. The first application seeks to convert the former Commercial Hotel on Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, into an HMO.
The applicant is Fairway Building and Remedial Contractors Ltd, who are working with agents at Northern Planners. However, Green Coun Julie Adshead has called for scrutiny of the plan by the committee, citing concerns about parking provision, 'inadequate' waste disposal arrangements, 'sufficient' provision of other HMOs in the area and potential risks of anti-social behaviour.
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Local residents have also submitted objections to the council. The Commercial Hotel application was previously discussed by Rossendale's development committee last month and deferred for further information.
Queries included the potential number of occupants at any given time, possible lack of bathroom facilities, monitoring and management of the number of residents, and car parking. Since then, environmental health and highways officers have had further discussions with the developers and have deemed the plan acceptable, reports .
Rossendale planning officers have given their nod to a plan, recommending its approval with conditions. The plan stipulates that although the bedroom sizes are adequate for two people, only a maximum of five individuals can occupy the ground floor and another five on the first floor.
If occupancy increases to between six and 10 people, additional bathrooms would be required on both floors. In related news, another application is in the pipeline seeking alterations to a previously-approved HMO plan for 44 Manchester Road in Haslingden.
Applicant Cameron Gillespie aims to establish a retail unit on the ground floor and install skylights on the roof, transforming it into a five-bedroom site. He is collaborating with Abode Architecture.
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The application has been revised from a previously approved scheme, eliminating a three-storey stepped rear extension and reducing the initially approved seven bedrooms to five. A Rossendale Council planning report reveals: "The property is currently vacant and it is understood that the ground floor area was last used as a bakery. Neighbouring terraced properties are a mix of commercial and residential. A grade II listed building, 31 Manchester Road, is approximately 35 metres to the south. The site is also in Haslingden Conservation Area."
The applicant is seeking permission to transform the top three floors into a five-bedroom HMO, with plans also including the renovation of the ground floor retail unit. The proposed external works encompass the creation of a rear dormer for additional roof space, alterations to rear windows and the installation of Juliet balconies at the back for the upper floors.
Access to the HMO would be through new front and rear doors, with changes to the shop front to accommodate the new door. However, concerns have been raised regarding parking space, another nearby home, the busy nature of the street with a health centre, shops, takeaways and businesses, as well as the privacy and safety of neighbours.
Planning officers are recommending approval, citing the need for this type of accommodation, the favourable location and the positive impact of renovating the shop.
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