New plans for HMO hotspot slammed as ‘irresponsible’

A HMO has been given the go-ahead by planners despite locals slamming the decision as ‘irresponsible’.

Three red-brick terraced homes on Coalshaw Green Lane, in Chadderton, have permission from Oldham council to become a single, seven-bed, 14-person house of multiple occupation. Under plans submitted by developer Andy Morgan and his agent from Extension Plans UK, the building will feature seven rooms with en-suites, alongside two shared kitchens, and utility rooms. 

Residents from the surrounding area, which is considered one of Oldham’s rising HMO hotspots, objected to the plans over traffic and parking fears, concerns about anti-social behaviour, and oversubscribed local amenities like GPs and dentists. 

“This cannot be allowed to happen!” one resident wrote in their objection, while others suggested approving the proposal would be ‘irresponsible’ and ‘an injustice’. 

One resident explained: “This development is way too big in an area already problematic for parking, amenities and generally underfunded. It’s getting more and more run down by the day. Everywhere these HMO’s pop up there is trouble and problems that come with them.” 

Officer approved the proposal, stating the designs ‘complied with space standards’ and included a private garden and bin storage areas. 

A town planner added: “Surrounding uses are predominantly residential and there is a children’s park and support centre to the rear of the site. There is no evidence to suggest the location of this proposed HMO would cause nuisance to these existing uses.” 

The application originally included a number of commercial units alongside the bedrooms. But with double yellow lines at the front of the properties, and a narrow alleyway at the rear, highways officers objected to these plans. The developer later amended the scheme. 

The developer was contacted for comment. 

HMOs are a heated subject in Oldham, where a number of ‘hotspots’ have been identified in Failsworth, Hathershaw, Oldham town centre, Waterhead and Shaw. Areas like Chadderton and Hollinwood have also become increasingly popular areas for this kind of shared housing. 

Oldham Council are currently attempting to strengthen rules around HMO applications through a special directive, which is due to come into force from January. 

A council report stated: “It is recognised that HMOs provide a much-needed source of housing for various groups in need within the borough, including young people, students, and single person households.

“But poorly managed and maintained HMOs, especially where clusters of HMOs arise in one place, can have a detrimental impact on local areas.”