Plans to convert a former Bury pub into a large house in multiple occupation (HMO) have been thrown out by the town hall following strong community opposition. The proposal to transform the Rose and Crown Inn building on Manchester Old Road faced 43 objections from neighbours, who raised concerns about traffic, parking, potential anti-social behaviour, and the number of HMOs already in the area.
Proposal Details and Concerns
The scheme would have turned the former pub into a 12-bed HMO, where at least three unrelated individuals share basic amenities like a kitchen, bathroom, or living room. However, council officials sided with residents on several key issues. Bury's highways and parking teams stated that even adding three cars to the road would create 'unacceptable congestion and parking issues', and the lack of on-site parking spaces was deemed unacceptable.
Space and Privacy Issues
While indoor living spaces were considered adequate for 12 residents, the proposed backyard area was judged insufficient. Officers noted the yard, which would also serve as a bin storage area, would not 'provide a suitable area for 12 residents to sit outside, nor dry clothes'. Some bedrooms lacked a suitable outlook or privacy from windows. Additionally, applicant Omair Akram failed to demonstrate enough space for the required number of bins.
Further concerns were raised about the impact on neighbours. Two rooms planned in the roof would look down on adjoining houses, leading to unacceptable privacy issues. However, officers disagreed with residents' claims of an overconcentration of HMOs, noting only two other HMOs exist within 100 metres of the site, against a policy limit of four.
