Blackburn Hostel to Become Student Bedsits with 52 Units Proposed

Hayhill Care 1 Ltd wants to convert Union House, planning to create 52 bedsits in St Peter Street. Union House, formerly a homeless hostel, was closed by the council in May 2023 due to poor living conditions. The building dates back to 1900, making it quite old.

The council launched a clampdown in July 2022, targeting bedsit HMOs to prevent issues and stop people with “chaotic lifestyles.” Now, the council must consider this new proposal.

Local politicians responded cautiously. Councillor Paul Marrow expressed concern that 52 beds might be too many. Councillor Mustafa Desai wants a balance, mentioning affordable housing alongside community impacts.

The proposal highlights the property’s past as a hostel, previously housing at least 43 residents. A council inspection led to its closure last year. The area includes retail, offices, churches, and schools, with few residential properties nearby.

The plan uses the existing structure, mirroring the building’s previous purpose. The property consists of two main buildings connected by a two-story structure.

The larger building facing St Peter Street has four stories, while the smaller building is half the width with three stories. A small one-story extension exists at the rear.

The location offers benefits for future tenants of Union House. Retail, leisure, and religious sites are close. Car services, parking, and legal services are nearby, with hotels, cafes, and restaurants accessible on foot.

Blackburn University Centre is a nine-minute walk away, offering degrees and postgraduate courses. Students need affordable housing near their studies and the town center, and the HMO aims to serve this purpose.

The conversion will reconfigure the layout internally, including en-suites for each room to meet space standards. These changes aim to provide a better living experience.

The bridging structure will become a communal area, with an outdoor gym planned there to foster community. Renovating the property will improve the area and benefit Blackburn’s town center.

Councillor Marrow mentioned the borough’s large number of HMOs, noting that good management provides good accommodation while bad management harms the area. He reiterated his concern that 52 beds may be too many.

Councillor Desai highlighted the challenges councils face, balancing housing demand with community impact. Over-concentration of HMOs and pressure on services are key worries, as is the quality of accommodation.

The Council spokesperson had no comment as of yet.