Plans for a new multi-bedroom house of multiple occupancy (HMO) have been thrown out over concerns from residents.

The proposal was first lodged in April of last year and would have seen a vacant shop transformed into a 14 bedroom HMO on Higher Market Street, Farnworth.

But council planning officers have now decided to refuse the plan after receiving letters of objection from people living nearby.

Cllr Debbie Newall said: “When this first came in there was a lot of concern, mainly because of the sheer number of people involved who would have ended up living there.”

She added: “I was able to advise people on what to do and how to object one way or the other.

“They sent their objections off and I got in touch with the planning office and let them know that a lot of residents had sent objections in and I asked if they were minded to approve it could it be heard at the planning committee.

The Bolton News: The plans had been put before Bolton CouncilThe plans had been put before Bolton Council (Image: Ochre Building Design)

“It’s now been refused but they may now be able to appeal it so we’ll have to wait and see on that.”

As well as converting the building, the plans also included an upward extension to create a second floor.

But a total of 24 people mainly from the Mather Street, High Stile Street and Grove Street areas of Farnworth wrote in with objections citing a range of concerns.

These included the possible impact on their privacy, about parking in the area, pedestrian safety on Mather Street and the impact on access to doctors, dentists’ surgeries and schools in the area.

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After Cllr Newall wrote in to request that the application be heard by the planning committee, council officers decided that they had grounds to refuse the bid.

A statement said: “The proposed change of use to an HMO and extension of the building will result in a detrimental impact on the living conditions of the neighbouring residents at 45 Higher Market Street due to loss of light and overlooking.

“In addition, the application proposal includes no provision for external amenity space for future residents which is contrary to SPD General Design Principles.”