By George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporting Service
A FORMER Ashton-under-Lyne pub will be transformed into a new 54-seat restaurant and a house in multiple occupation (HMO).
Waterloo Tavern, which closed 10 years ago, is to be converted into an as-yet-unnamed restaurant and takeaway with four-bedroomed accommodation above.
The plan for the building on the corner of Oldham Road and Vale Street has proved controversial, with almost 200 people objecting.
Geraldine Barrand, who lives locally, felt the plan was not in keeping with the area, the meeting of Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee heard.
She told councillors how strong smells from the takeaway could impact the HMO residents and neighbours.
She added too many are already in the area, that its terrace could overlook the adjoining old people’s home and the hot food could attract rats and other vermin.
Her ward councillor, Cllr Vimal Choksi, added: “This proposes the unthinkable 54-seater takeaway and HMO. This is an over-intensification of the area.
“The planning report fails to account for the real world effects on Oldham Road. As we know this is for 54 diners, but there is no evidence on fire safety, noise control etc.
“The plan for 12 parking spaces fails to reflect the volume and turnover of vehicles at this site.”
Aisha Yaseen, speaking on behalf of the developer Aim Properties Manchester Ltd, understood change was concerning for locals.
She felt scaling back the size of the HMO from five bedrooms to four shows they are open to changing to benefit the community.
Ms Yaseen told the panel: “We believe this development will benefit the area. We chose it because it’s not smack bang in residential streets.
“There are already commercial buildings in the vicinity. We appreciate it’s a bust area, but we don’t think it will have a detrimental effect.”
Cllr Choksi and his fellow objectors were left ‘disappointed’ after the plan was approved by a fine margin on June 25.
Chair of the planning panel, Cllr David Mills, had the deciding vote after being the only one in favour of the proposal and Cllr Doreen Dickinson was the only one against, with three abstentions.