Rochdale News | News Headlines | Controversial plan to convert pub into bedsits backed for approval despite ‘100 per cent’ opposition of local councillors

Controversial plans to convert The Friendship Inn, in Middleton, into bedsits have been backed for approval, despite the ‘100 per cent’ opposition of local councillors.

Revised proposals to turn the former pub into an eight-bedroom HMO (house in multiple occupation) look set to get the nod from Rochdale Council’s planning committee next week.

Planning officers have recommended granting permission for the scheme, which has been ‘called in’ by North Middleton councillor Sara Rowbotham due to concerns over the impact on surrounding roads and a lack of parking.

The original proposals would have seen the former Cheapside boozer divided into 11 separate bedsits, with shared communal facilities.

But earlier this year Councillor Rowbotham said ward councillors remained ‘100 per cent’ against HMOs, insisting residents should not be ‘crammed’ into ‘poor quality’ properties.

However, despite the clear stance of ward councillors and 23 public objections, officers have advised the committee to wave through the application from property firm Gluck.

A report to the panel reads: “The proposed change of use of the public house to an eight-bedroom HMO would be acceptable in principle and would provide a suitable standard of residential amenity for future occupiers of the development and would not harm the amenity of surrounding occupiers. 

“The proposals are considered acceptable in terms of access, highways and parking. As such, the proposal complies with the [council’s] development plan.”

Further addressing Councillor Rowbotham’s concerns, it says the scheme will ‘not generate any great volume of traffic’ as most tenants are not expected to own a car.

And while the redevelopment of a nearby car park is likely to result in more on-street parking, the report adds that HMO residents’ cars ‘may not create a severe issue’.

“In the absence of any objection from the highway authority, on balance it is considered that the proposal would not unduly impact on the highway safety and would therefore accord with [council] policies,” it adds.

In terms of space for future tenants, the report finds that the bedrooms and kitchen would ‘exceed’ the council’s space standards for new HMOs and are considered ‘suitable for occupation’.

It adds that the lack of any outdoor amenity space ‘can be accepted where the proposed units are not considered to constitute a family residence’ and there are ‘suitable opportunities’ nearby at West Street and Parsons Drive.

Planning bosses also say that the ‘limited changes’ to the appearance of the former pub would not ‘unduly impact’ its character or that of the surrounding area.

Rochdale Council’s planning and licensing committee meets at Number One Riverside from 6pm on Thursday 2 September.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter