A former pub in Stacksteads could be turned into a house in multiple occupancy, under a plan being considered by councillors next week.

Separately, a vacant bakery in Haslingden’s Conservation Area could also become  a house in multiple occupancy (HMO) along with a new retail unit created as part of the changes.

The two housing plans will go before Rossendale Council’s development committee on November 12.

The first seeks permission to change the former Commercial Hotel in Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, into a HMO. The applicant is Fairway Building & Remedial Contractors Ltd, working with agents at Northern Planners.

But the plan has been called-in for scrutiny by councillors on the committee by Green Councillor Julie Adshead. She has cited concerns about parking provision, ‘inadequate ‘ arrangements for waste disposal, ‘sufficient’ provision of other HMOs in the area and potential risks of anti-social behaviour.

Some objections have also been sent to the council by local residents.

The Commercial Hotel application was discussed by Rossendale’s development committee last month and held back for more information.

Questions included the potential number of people at any one time, a possible lack of bathroom facilities, the monitoring and management of the number of residents, and car parking.

Since then, environmental health and highways officers have had more discussions with the developers and say the plan is acceptable.

Rossendale planning officers say the plan is acceptable and are recommending its approval with conditions. Although the bedroom sizes are adequate for two people, a maximum of five are only allowed to occupy the ground floor and another five on the first floor.

If more people, six to 10, were to be there,  another bathroom would be needed on both floors.

Haslingden plan

The property in HaslingdenThe property in Haslingden Meanwhile, another application is seeking to change some elements of a previously-approved HMO plan in Manchester Road, Haslingden.

Applicant Cameron Gillespie wants to create a retail unit on the ground floor and add skylights to the roof to create a five-bedroom site. He is working with Abode Architecture. 

The application has been amended from a previously-approved scheme to remove a three-storey stepped rear extension, reducing the previously approved seven bedrooms to five.

A Rossendale Council planning report states: “The property is currently vacant and it is understood that the ground floor area was last used as a bakery.

"Neighbouring terraced properties are a mix of commercial and residential. A Grade II-listed building is approximately 35 metres to the south, and the site is also in Haslingden Conservation Area."

The applicant seeks permission to convert the upper three floors into a five bedroomed HMO and the scheme includes renovating the ground floor retail unit.

External works include the creation of a rear dormer to provide additional room in the roof space, alterations to rear windows and the creation of Juliet balconies on the back, serving the upper floors.

The HMO would be accessed through new front and rear doors. The shop front would be altered to accommodate the proposed new door.

Some concerns have been raised about parking space, another home nearby, the street being busy with a health centre, shops, takeaways and businesses, and privacy and safety of neighbours.

Planning officers are recommending approval. They say there is a need for this type of accommodation, the location is good and renovating the shop would be welcome.