A town centre pub with a bed and breakfast (B&B) could be turned into a 20-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO).
London-based Penn Investments Ltd has applied for a change of use at The Bridge View, arguing a 20-bed HMO would cause “a lot less disturbance to the neighbours” than under its life as a bar and B&B. The four-paragraph design and access statement added the rooms would be “spacious and not overly cramped”.
A more detailed planning statement running to 14 pages said the project would be “beneficial” and would be good for social interaction.
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The report said: “The proposal will enhance opportunities for social interaction and social integration given the nature of the proposal and the proposed facilities available within the site for communal eating and cooking.
“The development has been shown not to result in harm to neighbouring amenity and will not result in environmental or social harm within the wider local area.”
Despite the application going in The Bridge View still is still open, with active social media promoting festive event dates.
The application’s filing broadly coincides with the Planning Inspectorate’s decision to overturn Halton Council ’s refusal of a Southport firm's bid to turn a large HMO conversion in Widnes on appeal, paving the way for the former Cartref care home to be converted into three HMOs totalling 29 bedrooms in total, six of which will be self-contained flats.
It also comes amid moves by the council to establish a working party to look into addressing “issues” reported by residents to councillors over HMOs in the borough and to consider an Article 4 designation for West Bank in Widnes to remove “permitted development” rights for HMO plans.
Public consultation on the Bridge View Inn plans in Runcorn is open until December 15 with Halton Council aiming to decide the matter by around January 16.
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