HMO proposal turned down for 'fostering isolation'

Plans to convert an empty shop into a 4-bed HMO have hit the skids after officials condemned the scheme for creating ‘an institutionalised environment’.

The proposal for the former Areeka’s Fashion and Beauty Lounge on Penny Meadow, Ashton, would have seen the store converted into accommodation for four people. 

However, planners refused to approve the plans after raising concerns over potential living conditions in the building. 

As well as falling short of the minimum required floor space for four residents, site drawings showed that the only communal space would be a kitchen/dining room, with no provision for a living room. 

Julian Jackson, Tameside Council’s (TMBC) Director of Place said in his report: “The overall amount of accommodation and the inadequacy of the shared facilities to cater for the day-to day requirements of four or more occupants fails to promote social interaction, therefore failing to meet the needs of potential occupiers.  

“The lack of the shared facilities in the proposed HMO may then foster a sense of isolation in residents, particularly if they are not minded to avail themselves of the shared facilities and confine themselves to the small bed-sitting room. 

“By virtue of the inadequacy of the accommodation and shared facilities, including the lack of useable outdoor amenity space, the development would create an institutionalised environment, resulting in poor living conditions, both internally and externally, for the future occupiers.” 

Another stumbling block for the development was the need for a trade waste licence, but with the alley behind the property being too narrow for a commercial bin, the bin would have needed to be on Penny Meadow itself. 

Despite four commercial bins already on the street, discussions with TMBC’s Waste Services department concluded that another one would “have a significant negative impact in the visual amenity of the street scene”.