Green light to convert former pub into homes

THE former Black Swan pub

A FORMER pub near Oldham Mumps will be converted into housing after Oldham Council passed the proposals at a planning meeting last night.

The former Black Swan Hotel, based at No 13 Bottom O' Th' Moor, will be redeveloped into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) for eight residents, as well as two studio flats and two cluster flats.

A total of 10 councillors voted in favour and three against the plans which involve building an eight-bedroom unit with en-suite bathrooms, a shared kitchen and communal living space.

No members of the public made objections to the plans which were put forward by applicant Andrew Bailey Architects.

Councillor Rod Blyth, who recommended the plans for approval, said: "I think it is a good use of a vacant building."

However, Councillor Sean Fielding said: "I'm uneasy about HMOs generally.

"Personally I would like to see it pulled down and turned into something more desirable."

The loss of the pub, size of the HMO, overall design and amount of open space were all considered by the council ahead of approval.

The planning report said: "Given the building's edge of town centre location and the availability of numerous alternative drinking establishments nearby, it is not considered that its loss would unacceptably reduce the surrounding community's ability to meet its day-to-day needs."

The build was not expected to have any harmful effect on the character of the area and the council's highway engineer considered the amount of traffic generated by the proposed change of use would be significantly less than that generated currently.

A rear two-storey extension will be built adjacent to the boundary with Castlemill Street as part of the works. A self-contained studio flat will also be erected at the rear of the building, with access leading to a car park.

The first and second floors will contain two five-bedroom cluster flats and a second self-contained studio flat.

Space for bin storage, six cars and eight bikes has been allocated at the rear of the building.

In a report planners said: "Taking into account its sustainable location, and that no objections have been raised on highway safety, the proposal is broadly consistent with Oldham Local Plan."