Controversial plans to convert former pub into bedsits revived by property firm

Controversial plans to turn a former Middleton pub into bedsits have been revived by a London property firm.

Proposals that would have seen the old Friendship Inn converted into an 11-bedroom  house in multiple occupation (HMO) were refused by Rochdale council in February.

Planning chiefs said the rooms would be too small and provide future tenants with an ‘unacceptable standard of accommodation’.

But applicant Gluck has come back with a revised scheme with eight bedrooms – all bigger than under the previous application.

Plans for the old Cheapside pub – which has been empty since 2019 –  also include a communal lounge and shared bathrooms.

Steve Dodds, of agent SJD Developments, said negotiations had been ongoing with the council in order to ‘come up with a satisfactory scheme’.

“We have not only reduced the number of units but increased the size of each of the flats,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“I know HMOs sometimes have a bad reputation, but the client [Gluck] is looking to do what we think is a good scheme in an empty, redundant building.

“We have always tried to push the side that we don’t want the empty building to become an anti-social behaviour issue.

"We see it as being an improvement to the area provided it’s managed properly.”

Mr Dodds acknowledged there had been ‘a lot of concern previously’, but it was hoped these issues could be addressed.

“We have worked hard since October last year with the council, both in the planning and housing teams, to come up with a scheme,” he said.

“Hopefully we can reassure both councillors and local residents.”

However, North Middleton ward councillor Sara Rowbotham said she remained unconvinced that ‘appropriate provisions’ were in place to protect residents.

“The quality of these properties is poor,” she said.

“People have a right to their own kitchen and bathroom regardless of whether or not we’re in a housing crisis.

"We need good quality, affordable homes and shouldn’t be cramming our residents into HMOs.

“To put it bluntly, HMOs in general are being used as a cash cow by rogue landlords in our town that takes advantage of vulnerable residents and puts money before health and well-being, so we have to be vigilant.”

Coun Rowbotham, who was awarded an MBE this month, said much would need to change before she could get behind HMOs in Middleton.

She added: “If we can get to a stage where we’re satisfied that landlords of HMOs are willing to prioritise the well-being of their tenants and our community – or better yet we get to a point where government legislation is in place to stop these rogue HMOs or at least give local councils the authority to effectively act when it’s blindingly obvious that there are issues with them – then we’ll support such applications. 

“Until then we’re 100pc  against HMOs in our area and we’ll be objecting to this application.”

No parking spaces are included in the application, although there is storage for 10 bikes at the rear of the property, together with a bin area and pedestrian access.

The applicant expects the majority of residents will not own a car ‘due to the close proximity of the local services’ while there is on-street parking available for those who do.

A decision on whether to grant planning permission will be made by Rochdale council.

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