A HYDE town centre building will be converted into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) for 15 people if planning permission is granted.
Droylsden-based John Pladas has applied to Tameside Council to convert the vacant offices on Clarendon Place, between a carpet shop and a restaurant, into an eight-bedroomed unit.
If it goes ahead, the existing loft is to be converted to habitable space and to the rear, a dormer roof extension is proposed to facilitate additional living space at this level.
To the front, the middle first floor window would be filled with red brickwork and a new access point from Clark Way would be created.
That would require the construction of a new hard standing area and a set of gates across a strip of council-owned land to allow for collection of waste and access for cyclists.
A timber bin store is also proposed for the rear yard, along with five cycle storge hoops.
Documents supporting the application claim the building’s exterior will not change and the fact no off-street parking will come with it promotes active travel.
They state: “The existing building will retain its current appearance and character externally.
“The proposed dormer extension to the roof is proposed to the rear pitch, will sit below the current ridge level at its highest point, and will not be visible from Clarendon Place.
“No associated off-street parking is proposed by the development, due to the lack of space/land available to the site to provide such facilities.
“However, the town centre location of the site benefits from excellent access to public transport links, with Hyde bus station less than a five-minute walk from the site and nearby access to facilities such as shops and restaurants.
“Furthermore, active travel is to be promoted through the provision of secure cycle storage to the rear yard of the site, providing cycle parking for 10 bicycles.”
Each bedroom will come with en suite bathroom facilities while communal areas, include kitchen space, dining space and utility/laundry rooms.
The kitchen and separate dining room would be on the ground floor level, with laundry and utility rooms on the first and second.
And documents add: “The proposal seeks to convert an existing unused office building into a large HMO.
“The town centre location of the site, which is located outside of the main shopping area, is suitable for a diversity of uses and supports this type of accommodation.
“The proposal demonstrates compliance with national and local planning policy and complies with the space and overcrowding standards set out by Tameside Council for HMOs of the intended occupancy levels.
“The proposal benefits from pre-application advice, which is favourable of the principle of development, and makes recommendations for a full planning application which have been followed.”
Tameside Council’s Speakers Panel (Planning) committee will decide whether to grant or refuse planning permission.