Objectors celebrate after plan to convert house into HMO slapped down

Residents and an Ashton-in-Makerfield councillor who objected to the conversion of an end-terraced house into a 10-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) have praised Wigan’s planning officers for refusing the application. The change-of-use submission which included external alterations with additional windows for the property on Wigan Road drew about 60 objections from nearby residents and Bryn Independent Coun Steve Jones.

Coun Jones told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he believed one of the reasons for refusal was the strength of the opposition to the plan from nearby residents. Many of the residents took to Facebook to welcome the decision, although some voiced fears there would be an amended application for an HMO.

A report by planning officers on Wigan council’s planning portal said the plan was to increase the number of bedrooms in the property by converting the garage into three bedrooms. It said: “Due to the siting of these bedrooms there will be a sub-standard level of amenity for the occupants in terms of their outlook and privacy.

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“The need to convert the garage into three further bedrooms suggests that the dwelling in its original built form is not suitable for the use of a HMO of the proposed size.”

Objectors cited a lack of parking and an increased demand for spaces in the area as well as fear of crime and anti-social behaviour for their opposition to the scheme.

However, the report said: “Officers do not consider nor have any reason to believe that residents of the HMO are more or less likely to cause any antisocial, noise and nuisance than any other form of residential