Council turns down 22-bed HMO

Plans for a huge HMO in Oldham that sparked a major backlash among neighbours have been refused by Oldham Council.

Developers planned to turn the former Crompton Health Centre in Shaw into a 22-bed housing complex. 

The application by Safina Ghaus and Mehtab Shaukat would have seen the vacant building renovated into 22 self-contained units, each with its own bathroom and kitchen area. Minor amendments were proposed to the exterior of the building, which would have provided each room with a skylight window. 

But the application immediately raised concerns among local residents and councillors, who argued the building was ‘unsuitable’ for a HMO. More than 200 people commented on the application. 

Officers rejected the application because it could lead to ‘substandard living conditions for future residents and fail to provide a healthy and functional living environment’. 

They noted that the small windows would provide ‘inadequate levels of natural light and ventilation’ and that the communal kitchens would not be up to the council’s standards. 

Councillor Elaine Taylor, cabinet member for housing, said: “The Council has refused the application for a HMO at the former Crompton Health Centre because it’s clearly inappropriate. The proposal doesn’t meet the standards we’d expect for housing.

“Where we are able to, we will use our powers to make sure inappropriate developments don’t go ahead.”

The rejection came on Friday, April 5, just ahead of a planned protest against the HMO on Sunday.

Coun Taylor and coun Peter Davis are also calling for councils to receive more powers to oppose smaller HMOs, which currently don’t require planning permission. The council will vote on a motion requesting the government to change planning policy this Wednesday, April 9.