Ashton investor declares ‘no HMOs’

The man behind the redevelopment of Metro Cinema has spoken out regarding HMOs, Image by GGC Media

A MAN who aims to reinvigorate Ashton-under-Lyne has told Tameside Council ‘no HMOs.’

Several sites in the town centre have either been turned into houses in multiple occupation or are targeted for them.

The Correspondent told of a scheme to convert part of the Victorian Clarence Arcade into three separate developments.

Now Andy Kleek, who has brought Chute Bar back to life and eventually hopes to redevelop the town’s former cinema, has spoken out against proposals.

He said: “As investors into the town, we need to highlight the issue of HMO developments and the danger it brings to the decline of our town centres.

Inside Chute Bar, Ashton-under-Lyne

“These developments in our town centres need to be stopped and are a huge contributing factor to damaging our towns, especially Ashton where there seems to be a surge of these proposed developments in the town centre.

“It is quite frustrating for us to see these applications when we are working hard on building fit for purpose dwellings with commercial opportunities in our shops.

“We have come across developments on George Street, Stamford Arcade, Wood Street to name a few in the last week which we urge the community to object to.

“They are applied for simply for monetary gain to get as much money per square metre as possible, with no regards for living quality or the impact on the town.

“These schemes will destroy our town and are applied for by people who do not care about our community whatsoever and are motivated purely by financial gain from the project.”

The former Yorkshire bank in Ashton-under-Lyne

Mr Kleek, who also hopes to convert the former Yorkshire Bank site into a bar and restaurant, also pointed out his fears that once HMOs are put in, they will not be managed properly.

And he believes they will result in more unsightly conditions for occupants, who he suspects will not bring much to the town.

He added: “HMO housing is generally undersized dwellings not fit for purpose and will only attract a certain type of demographic into the town.

“And very quickly, due to the poor and inadequate sizing and facilities, they will become a management issue with fly tipping and other issues arising from it.

“This is something we already have a huge issue with and are currently fighting, so we do not need it contributing to further, especially when we can build fit for purpose dwellings with enough living space to live properly.

“We will be campaigning to stop these developments and are in discussions with the council and other investors opposing them.

“We will be highlighting the HMO applications we are made aware of for the public’s knowledge.”