A CONTROVERSIAL house of multiple occupation (HMO) will be placed right in the middle of Stalybridge’s heritage zone if plans are given the go ahead.
Chris Seton of Signs Solutions Plus Ltd has applied to Tameside Council to convert the building at 87 Market Street into a three-bedroomed property, with a workshop in the basement.
If allowed, one bedroom will be located on the ground floor with two on the first, each with en-suite bathrooms, and shared kitchen and dining facilities.
And a statement for the applicant believes it will actually reduce the harm to the structure.
It says: “The application is set to provide affordable housing in the form of a multi resident house.
“The design proposals are set to both reduce harm to the building and its setting whilst maintaining the reversable aspect of the buildings front elevations with a view to potentially converting it back to a commercial unit again in the future.
“Care has been taken when designing the proposed changes to the front elevation to both fall in line with the randomised shop fronts along Market Street whilst ensuring the proposed residential unit has adequate security from potential vandalism.
“The proposed design proposals have been based around the current layout as not to change the dynamics of the property in relation to the adjoining property and surroundings.
“The only changes to the elevations come at the front of the property where we have proposed to partially brick up the shop front to allow security to the proposed residential unit whilst maintaining the visual of a shop front with the use of signage below the high level window.
“We feel the proposals both provide additional affordable housing whilst reducing the impact to the surrounding buildings and conservation area.”
Tameside Council’s Speakers Panel (Planning) committee will decide whether to grant or refuse planning permission.
NB*: Rascals dog groomers has not closed, it is now located in the building next door and still open for business