Chorley Faces Bedsit Concerns As More HMO Plans Win Approval

Chorley Council approved some building changes. They will turn buildings into shared houses. These houses are called HMOs. The buildings are on St. George’s and St. Thomas’s Roads.

A printing business will become a sixteen-bed HMO. It’s on St. George’s Road. This building is historically important. Age UK’s old offices on St. Thomas’s Road will be a fifteen-bed HMO. Town planners suggested approving the changes. The committee members agreed with them.

Councillor Whitham saw a worrying trend. He noted many HMOs are appearing downtown. He said the town seems “inundated”. Councillor Southern spoke with the licensing department. He shared similar worries about these bedsits.

The health officer had no objections, but they wanted more details on the St. George’s Road plan. They needed info about shared spaces, safety, and air flow. Councillors said they would check this later. It will be during the license process.

Alex Hilton liked the St. Thomas’s Road plan. The rooms were bigger than usual. Room size was a past concern.

Planners said dividing the St. George’s Road building could harm it. But, the entrance stays the same. The building’s original layout remains. The back addition was not a concern. It’s because other buildings already surround it.

Planners think using the building is best. It helps keep it important in the area. St. George’s Road has no parking. St. Thomas’s Road has eight parking spots. Highway officers had no problems either. The locations are near services and transport.

Most councillors approved both plans. Eleven voted yes. One person abstained.