Bolton: Plan lodged to turn Mayor Street house into HMO

The plan was in November and if approved will see the house on Mayor Street, near Queens Park, transformed into a seven-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO).

But concerns have been raised about the number of people living in a relatively small space.

Cllr Richard Silvester, of Queens Park and Central, said: “This is just not what we want.

“It really is going back to Victorian times with houses being split up into very small living spaces with little amenity space which does not help with mental health and then all of the other issues with associated disturbance and impact on the residents of neighbouring properties.

The plans have been put before Bolton Council (Image: Planstobuildit)

“I hope that planning officers will refuse this application and I have given more than enough valid reasons for it to be.

“I hope that when other applications similar to this one around the borough are received, that officers refuse these too.”

The proposed shared housing on Mayor Street adds to a growing number of HMO applications all over Bolton in recent years and months.

Mayor Street, Bolton (Image: Google Maps)

Concerns have frequently been raised about overcrowding, the effects on public transport links and the pressure they put on the borough’s public services.

But so supporters have said that developments like this can help to address Bolton’s need for housing and can be convenient for students and younger people.

ALSO READ: Ruling on plan to turn semi-detached house into eight person shared home

ALSO READ: Ruling on plan to create new shared house after 'living conditions' concern

ALSO READ: 'Feels like groundhog day' after vote on turning former pub into shared house

They have also argued that people living in HMOs are less likely to use cars.

But so far, the council’s highways department says that they have no objections to the plan based on the effect it is likely to have on transport in the town centre.

A statement said: “Acting on the level of residential use associated with the existing property and its accessibility to sustainable modes of transportation and the town centre of Bolton and its amenities, then no reasonable objections on highway grounds to what is being proposed under this application.”

The council will aim to decide whether or not to approve the plans by Monday January 8 in the new year.