Bolton: Expansion approved on Chorley Old Road HMO

This comes after approval was granted to redevelop a house on Chorley Old Road in Smithills.

The house already has space for six people and will now expand to help meet the rising need for housing in the area, according to RA Design & Project Management Ltd.

A statement from the developers said: “The location is excellent and is close to shops, pharmacies, GP surgeries, schools, businesses and public transport links.

“Moss Bank Park and the wider countryside is close to this area.

The plans have been approved by Bolton Council (Image: RA Design & Project Management Ltd)

“The area is therefore highly sustainable.

“There is a high demand in the area from single students and health workers and housing supply cannot meet the demand.

“Given the property is already a six bed HMO, it is considered that an additional room will not have a significant and unacceptable impact on the area.”

The plans set out how the house’s second living room will be converted into a seventh bedroom.

Chorley Old Road (Image: Google Maps)

The statement said: “The room size exceeds the minimum size for a single occupancy HMO room, being 17sqm and therefore almost 11sqm more than the minimum standard.

“It will also have its own bathroom immediately adjacent.

“The room is served by a large window facing the yard.

“The room will be furnished with a bed, bedside table, desk and wardrobe.

“The property has amenity space to the front and rear and has recently been refurbished to a high standard.

ALSO READ: Hotel owner says firm ‘not financially viable’ and plans to convert site to HMO

ALSO READ: Overcrowding and parking to be discussed in HMO debate

ALSO READ: Sweeping changes to housing plans that cause 'overcrowding' and 'waste' proposed

“There is a great deal of on street parking on the street and more than sufficient space for the storage of cycles and bins in the rear yard.”

Developments like these have often proven to be controversial around Bolton, with concerns having been raised at recent council meetings about overcrowding and the pressure on public services.

But in this case council officers decided to give the plans the go-ahead.

A report said: “It is not considered that the development will harm the character and appearance of the area and will not pose an unacceptable harm to the amenity of neighbours or future occupiers.”