A single apartment above a mini-market in Bolton could become a six-bed HMO under a retrospective planning application.
The application, submitted for the conversion of much of the building on Derby Street near Bolton town centre, seeks approval for changes already made. The majority of the ground floor is currently occupied by Aqsa Food Store.
Conversion already carried out
The first floor was previously used as a large flat capable of accommodating a family until recently being converted to a small HMO as the flat was no longer required by the occupants of the shop.
A planning report in support of the applicant, Mohammed Latif, said 'these areas have recently been converted to a HMO, the reason for this retrospective application'. The building, in Daubhill, is on the corner of Derby Street and Philip Street.
Proposed layout and room sizes
The planning report said: “The applicant is applying for planning permission to change of use of part of the ground floor and upper floor of the building to an six-bedroom, six-person HMO.
“The ground floor would provide large communal space including kitchen/diner, porch, hallway and a communal room. “The first floor would provide six bedrooms, two bathrooms, and storage space with the existing shop at ground floor retained.”
The report added that proposed development 'will bring parts of an existing building and wider site into a suitable and sustainable use' and 'enhance the character of the area'.
Parking and next steps
The application states that each room in the proposed development 'goes well beyond the minimum requirements of 7.5 square metres for single occupancy'. Private rooms range from 15 square metres up to 19 square metres along with a further 88 square metres for communal internal amenity.
The report said no dedicated car parking spaces would be provided with on street parking spaces to the side and rear of the building. Planners in Bolton will consider the application in the coming weeks.
