RESIDENTS are concerned that construction work is taking place on an old office building despite planning permission being refused.

Proposals were submitted last year to turn Atlas House, in Manchester Road, Kearsley into an eight-bedroom house of multiple occupancy (HMO).

The plans were rejected in December 2018, with insufficient information about storage for refuse bins, problems with neighbouring businesses and a problem with one of the bedrooms among the reasons given.

Despite the refusal by Bolton Council, residents have complained that work is still going ahead on the building.

Councillor for Kearsley ward, Cllr Julie Pattison said: “It’s an ongoing issue.

“I spoke to planning a few weeks ago and they basically said they can do what they like with the building because they own it, just as long as they don’t operate it as a business.

“It’s very frustrating though, it’s as if they’ve just ignored what was instructed by planning.

“It raises alarm bells, it’s quite concerning.”

The plans were submitted by Atlas House Project Ltd.

Prior to plans being rejected, residents had concerns about the nature of the HMO, with people speculating that it could be a bail hostel.

At a public meeting in December 2018, director of Atlas House Project Ltd, Paul T Lajszczak described it as accommodation for tourists.

He said: “There was a misunderstanding about the nature of the property.

“It’s to be an Airbnb style property, of which we already have a few.

“It will primarily be for tourists.”

At the public meeting, further concerns were raised about parking space and the number of bathrooms in the property.

However, Mr Lajszczak said they would be appealing the decision.

He added: “There will be eight ensuite bathrooms and there are free spaces at the front for parking.

“Of course we’re going to appeal.”

The Bolton News understands that no appeal has yet been accepted by the council.

There is a loophole in place which means converting a family home into a HMO does not require planning permission.

Atlas House would not fall into that criteria though as planning permission is always needed to change the use of a property.

A local resident who claims to have spoken to builders on site posted on the Farnworth and Kearsley First Facebook page: “I’ve spoken to the builders, they are renovating it into a Motel.

“On further questioning it’s going to be eight rooms, one kitchen and bathroom so they are clearly going ahead converting it as planned.

“Be finished in two months.”

Another resident added: “I was brought up just around the corner from Atlas House and my elderly Father still lives there. Plans for something like this is very worrying for him.”

The Bolton News has approached Mr Lajszczak for comment.