Former pub to become 11-bed HMO

A former Oldham pub will be converted into an 11-bed shared house after councillors gave plans the green light.

The Farmers Boy public house on Huddersfield Road is to become a house in multiple occupation (HMO) after an application was approved by the planning committee.

The proposal was heard before councillors because the applicant, Tariq Mushtaq, is related to Oldham Councillor Shaid Mushtaq.

According to the planning documents, the pub in Greenacres stopped trading in December last year but had not been a ‘profitable business’ since Covid-19 restrictions were introduced.

When converted into an HMO, the two-storey building would have 11 bedrooms, with a shared kitchen and dining space for up to 15 people.

Each bedroom would have its own en-suite shower room, with laundry facilities provided in the basement area and secure bike storage.

The exterior of the building would remain unchanged other than the addition of one new ground floor side window, and a window at the back of the pub on the ground floor.

The proposal did not include any parking provision, however the planning report states that there is a small area of land behind the site that could be used for parking in future if the residents of the HMO required.

Outlining officers’ recommendation to approve the plans, planning officer Martyn Leigh said that the plans would allow for the ‘active use’ of a building in a ‘highly sustainable location’.

Addressing the committee, Mr Mushtaq said that many of the developments his company First Choice Investments Ltd were doing in Oldham were used to provide social housing,

He added: “We’ve taken quite a few sites similar and we bring them back to life and create housing or good developments. 

"Recently we’re working on a couple of buildings on Yorkshire Street. 

“These buildings have been disused and basically empty for several years so we’re bringing them back to life and this would be something similar if it was in use.

“A lot of the time we’re giving a lot of these units back to Oldham council, so basically it’s a development given back to the council to house people who need much-needed housing stock.

"So in that sense it’s hopefully a win-win.

“A lot of these people living in these types of properties are normally using bikes or public transport and it’s on a main road, easy access to the town centre and amenities.” 

There had been no objections to the application, which was approved by councillors.

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