A home on one of Bolton’s busiest roads could be set to be transformed into a seven person house of multiple occupancy.
The plans, put to the council this week, will see the Tonge Moor Road house converted into a HMO with seven bedrooms to be shared by a number of people.
But the increasing creation of HMOs across Bolton has proven to be controversial given the ongoing need for housing in the borough.
Cllr Nick Peel, who represents Tonge with the Haugh, said: “The problem with HMOs is that the government has changed the rules a few years ago which now say that they only need planning permission if they’re for five or more people.
“So the vast majority of HMOs that we’ve got springing up across Bolton are completely unregulated and the only ones that are coming before planning committee are those with seven bedrooms or more.”
He added: “HMOs are part of housing life, we accept that.
“Where you’ve got a transient population that are moving in and out of the area then then HMOs do have a place, but what we’re saying is you’ve got to be able to maintain some control over it.”
Similar proposals for HMOs have been lodged elsewhere in Tonge Moor and further afield across the borough.
Just less December plans were put forward to convert a shop on Tonge Moor Road into a HMO, also with seven people in mind, while another HMO was granted approval on Bradford Street in the Haulgh last month.
Also last January a controversial plan for a HMO on Lower Rawson Street, Farnworth was thrown out after objections from residents and Cllr Nadeem Ahmed.
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In the case of the new HMO proposed for Tonge Moor Road, as well as converting the house, the proposal will also include a single storey extension to the rear of the building.
The plans were put before the council on Tuesday, February 7 and will be open for neighbourhood consultations until Thursday, March 2.
After the consultation period has passed, the council will then decide whether or not to approve the plan.
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