Applicant responds to HMO backlash

The person behind plans to turn an Oldham chippy into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) has responded over fears HMOs were ‘turning our area into the slums’. A nearby nursery said they were ‘worried’ and parents are already concerned.

The former Welcome Chippy on Long Lane in Chadderton used to serve fish and chips alongside Chinese takeaways. It has been vacant for two years according to a planning document but now could be turned into a seven bed HMO.

HMOs are a house or flat is shared between three or more people who are not from the same family and can offer a more affordable form of housing. However they can be unpopular and prompt a wide range of concerns.

TriVantage, the agents for the application, initially put forward a eight bedroom HMO but this has to be reduced to address a number of points raised by Oldham Council. No extensions will be made to the building except for a bicycle storage shelter to the back of the property and a small shed would be removed to increase light into one bedroom.

They argue the development ‘is of an acceptable scale’ and bird boxes are promised for the garden. A planning statement attached to the application said: “The overall layout of the site remains much the same.

“The entrance to the property moves to the side elevation to allow for the shop front to be removed and windows provided to the front rooms. Internal layout changes are proposed to provide the bedrooms, ensuites and amenity spaces in the property.”

No private parking will be included though the bicycle shed will have seven storage spaces. The development is described as being ‘in a sustainable location and makes use of a vacant property’.

The report submitted to the council said a marketing exercise commissioned ‘shows that despite being on the market for over two years and highlighting the various uses possible, there has been limited interest in the property and that the current offer to convert the property into a HMO is the only interest in the property’.

However the application has prompted 53 comments from people in the area who are concerned about the development. Issues raised includes fears about potential crime and anti-social behaviour and that houses of this type ‘always leads to more problems, drugs, violence, drunks, anti-social behaviour’.

One person objecting to the application said: ‘South Chadderton does not need any more miscreants in the area’ while others raised concerns around parking and traffic, particularly with the discount wholesaler Costco nearby which ‘creates mayhem already’.

Many of the concerns related to the application being next door to a nursery. One person said: “As a parent of a child who attends the nursery I feel this proposal is unacceptable.

“The safeguarding to the children is highly at risk, we need to feel that are children are safe and I wouldn’t feel comfortable with this being situated next to the nursery.”

A spokesperson for the nursery Play Alma Mater said: “We feel disappointed that a seven bed HMO is being considered next to a family run nursery.  Our nursery has been here supporting families for 15 years, with all childcare settings we want children, parents, families, staff and visitors to feel safe and secure.”

They added: “This would be a massive privacy and safeguarding concern [and] as well as other concerns, we are worried this would impact our business greatly as parents are already concerned.”

Another said: “A property occupied by seven unrelated individuals is likely to produce a materially higher level of noise, disturbance, and activity than a family dwelling, particularly through late-night arrivals, departures, and general day-to-day movement. This would undermine the quiet enjoyment of neighbouring homes and is inconsistent with the established character of this predominantly family-oriented residential area.”

Responding to the concerns, Jack Welch from MWIJ Properties said: “Firstly I would like to acknowledge and appreciate the concerns of the local neighbours, parents of the nursery and the wider community.

“I would like to clarify if the planning permission is granted, we intend to provide a high quality property for tenants who are young working professionals who are unable to afford individual private rents.

“We will have a strong management plan in place, with every tenant referenced and a criminal background ground check completed. CCTV is also be fitting at the front, side and rear of the property.

“Having a strong management plan in place such as this will address the concerns of local neighbours and residents such as parking and anti-social behaviour and will also provide a clear point of contact for neighbours.

“A full management plan will be provided to the Council prior to the planning committee meeting in August for full consideration.”