Kearsley: Scheme to convert Bolton Road nursery into HMO

If approved the plan will see the former site of the L'Ecole des Enfants nursery on Bolton Road, Kearsley transformed into a house of multiple occupancy for 11 people.

This is one of a tranche of HMOs that have been proposed all across Bolton in recent months.

Cllr Debbie Newall, of Kearsley, said: “It was a nursery and day care centre, I believe I was a family-owned business.

Plans have been put forward to convert the former nursery into an 11 bedroom HMO (Image: Had & Co)

She added: “I’ve made residents aware that its gone in and as ever I’ve made them aware of how they can send in letters of objection or support.”

The scheme was put before Bolton Council on Wednesday October 25 and if given the go-ahead will see 11 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms with a proposed bicycle shed added around the back.

The developers say that the area on Bolton Road is well served with transport links and nearby public services such as Kearsley Medical Centre, a branch of Cohens Chemist and Kearsley West Primary School and Nursery School as well as Starlights Day Care Nursery.

But HMO applications like these have proven to be contentious when proposed elsewhere in Kearsley recently as well as further afield across Bolton.

These have included a plan to transform the former Spread Eagle pub on Manchester Road into an eight bedroom HMO and a since withdrawn proposal to transform a home on Station Road, also in Kearsley into a HMP for six people.

Cllr Newall, who sits on Bolton Council’s planning committee says she cannot say it this stage whether or not she personally supports the current application but will hopes to ensure people know how to make their thoughts known.

ALSO READ: Former pub in 'notorious traffic blackspot' earmarked for housing

ALSO READ: Scheme launched to turn terraced house into six person HMO

ALSO READ: Concerns over 'overlook and parking space' as fresh 13-bed house conversion proposed

She says she has also asked that the bid be considered by a full meeting of Bolton Council’s planning committee.

Cllr Newall said: “As always I’ve got to walk a bit of a tightrope with this while advising people how they can send letters in either in objections or support.”

She added: “With HMOs it seems like every week now we’re seeing them listed.

“I understand how residents feel about this but the thing is, these decisions have got to be made on planning law.”

Bolton Council will aim to decide whether or not to approve the scheme by Wednesday December 20 this year.