Scheme for Victoria Road, Horwich HMO to go to vote

The plan aims to turn a house on Victoria Road, Horwich into a three-bedroom house in multiple occupancy with a shared lounge, dining room and shower room.

A Bolton Council report recommended that the plan be approved, but as many as 53 letters of objection had been sent in about the scheme.

A council report said: “Objections have been received from local residents relating to safeguarding, anti-social behaviour and crime.

“Whilst officers understand the nature of the concerns, they are satisfied that the design and location of the building is suitable for the use proposed in planning terms and do not consider that it will necessarily lead to an increase in crime or have an undue impact on the safety of existing or future residents.

The planning committee will meet at Bolton Town Hall (Image: Phil Taylor)

“Planning decision must concern themselves with the use and development of land and buildings and therefore the potential future behaviour of an individual occupant or occupants is not a planning consideration of significant weight.

“Any matters that do arise relating to safeguarding or anti-social behaviour would be matters for the police and are not material to the consideration of a planning application.”

The bid has been brought before the council’s planning committee for a vote at the request of Charlotte Moncado-Sears, who was a Horwich North councillor until last month’s election.

Cllr Moncado-Sears, who retains a seat on Horwich Town Council, said she was concerned about over development and substandard living conditions.

She also raised concerns about the design and layout, and potential conflict with Bolton’s HMO guidance.

Horwich Town Council had also recommended that the plan be refused because of room size and communal area space.

But Bolton Council’s report said the proposal was in line with the borough’s development plan and recommended that it be approved.

It said: “The proposal would provide a form of lower-cost housing which would meet a particular need, thereby making a small but positive contribution to the number of households and mix of housing available over the plan period in accordance with the above national and local policies.”

The planning committee is expected to debate the plan at a town hall meeting on Thursday June 18.