PEOPLE who move into a new house of multiple occupation (HMO) that has been approved may find themselves feeling the odd shiver – for they will be living in a former funeral director’s.
Tameside Council has approved plans to convert what was Kenworthy’s on Ryecroft street in Ashton into a facility that will house up to 12 people.
And council officials believe it will benefit the area.
The building will see four new windows put in its front, eight and a door to its rear and two new doors and a window on its side.
An existing single storey rear extension will be removed, with the space used for an outdoor shared amenity space with a cycle store and a bin store.
A report by the authority into the scheme praised it by saying: “The proposal would bring a currently disused and dilapidated building back in to beneficial use which would represent a highly sustainable and efficient use of the site that would compliment the current residential offer within the surrounding area.
“The proposed development would make a contribution to the borough’s housing land supply during a time of under supply and encourages and permits new and innovative design solutions without causing an adverse effect on the existing character of the building.
“The proposal would not increase any over-bearing, over-shadowing or overlooking aspect to neighbouring properties.
“It would not offer an unacceptable outlook to any residential units nearby and therefore the proposal is considered acceptable.”
One objection saying the scheme was too big, would result in the loss of daylight and the approval would set a precedent was received.
It also complained it was out of character with the area and would create parking problems as it is already limited because of to the number of employees working at the biscuit/cereal factory opposite.
However, Tameside Council’s director of place, Ian Saxon, approved the scheme, which would include 12 individual bedrooms for one person and a communal kitchen – on the proviso apartments are not occupied until the proposed first floor side window is fitted with obscured glass.