Controversial AirBnB plans rejected after ‘comments war’ and fears hotel would ‘completely decimate’ Royton neighbourhood
Reporter: Charlotte Hall, Local Democracy Reporter
Date published: 18 November 2024
Oldham Council decided the new use would lead to an ‘unacceptable’ loss of privacy, increased noise and loss of parking amenities for residents, after receiving a total of 24 objections on their online portal
Plans to turn a house in Royton into a controversial Airbnb have been rejected after the application sparked a ‘comments war’ online.
Mohammed Mahmood asked for retrospective planning permission to lease out his four-bed property on Rochdale Road.
But neighbours complained the ‘quiet, well-thought-of area’ near Tandle Hill Country Park would be ‘decimated’ by the holiday let business due to noise and parking concerns.
The property, which is still being advertised as a ‘whole property let’ for up to 12 people on Airbnb.co.uk despite the decision, has already been subject to a number of noise complaints according to council officers.
Oldham Council decided the new use would lead to an ‘unacceptable’ loss of privacy, increased noise and loss of parking amenities for residents, after receiving a total of 24 objections on their online portal.
One resident, who has lived in the area for 46 years, was ‘dismayed and upset’ by the plans, claiming they had ‘never felt unsafe [in the area] until now’ and were worried about anti-social behaviour by guests.
“This domestic dwelling is not set in a tourist hot-spot,” wrote another, claiming that neighbours had already had ‘abusive run-ins’ with tradespeople renovating the home.
But the proposal also received 12 comments of support, including one submitted by Mr Mahmood himself, which sparked a back-and-forth on Oldham’s planning portal.
Supporters claimed the project ‘would be one of the best things to come to the area’ and took aim at ‘saddening hate comments’.
Mr Mahmood himself claimed he was being ‘targeted’ and other commenters were ‘lying’.
He said: “I have been nothing but respectful, loving and kind and in return you’ve made it clear that you do not want me there.”
The slew of positivity, all submitted over the span of three days after Mr Mahmood’s comment, prompted suspicion by locals who suspected there was ‘something strange’ going on.
A number of claims made in Mr Mahmood’s comment, such as that he would only ever be renting out to two tenants at a time and would be present at the property – at odds with his listing on AirBnB – were questioned by the council.
But the homeowner ‘gave no further information’, according to officers.
Under new HMO rules brought in by the last government, AirBnBs that let out for more than 90 days a year now require planning permission from local councils.
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