'We live on a close knit family street... this would spell the end of our neighbourhood'

Plans to convert a family home into a four-bed shared house have been rejected.

Bolton council’s planning committee turned down plans to change the use of a three-bedroom home on Begonia Avenue, Farnworth, into a four-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) due to concerns about lack of space.

However, the planning committee was warned that the authority could now be liable to pay compensation to the applicant, as the scheme would have been permitted prior to new rules being introduced.

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The application was the first HMO proposal to come before the planning committee since Bolton Council agreed tough new rules to control the number of homes being converted into rental properties for multiple tenants.

In June this year an article 4 direction was approved, restricting the development of HMOs. Previously, anyone could convert an existing home into a HMO for up to six tenants without first needing planning consent.

The direction now requires all HMOs, regardless of size, to have planning approval. Ward councillor Sue Haworth addressed the committee to oppose the plan for the two-storey, semi-detached house.

She said: “This is a close knit family street. Residents say to change the character by adding in a HMO ‘would spell the end of our local neighbourhood’.

“Begonia Avenue is predominantly family homes and residents object to the plan which would see the nature of their street fundamentally changed.

“Please act to prevent Farnworth’s streets being more proliferated by HMOs.

A Begonia Avenue resident also spoke at the meeting to oppose the plans.

She said: “We are a close knit neighbourhood with no issues and all get on.