Plans to convert former glass and mirror showroom into huge 35-bed shared house

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A former glass and mirror showroom could become a massive 35-bedroom shared house. Plans published this week by Bury Council seek to convert the former Finefit premises on Church Street West, Radcliffe, into a huge house of multiple occupation (HMO).

In documents published in support of the plans, applicant Stephen Rick Kerfoot said the ‘development proposal maintains a positive relationship with its surroundings and is appropriate to the context and character of the area’.

The 516 square foot building is just 50 metres from Radcliffe’s Metrolink stop and close to the town centre. A design and access statement in support of the plans, said: “The existing site is vacant. Join the Manchester Politics WhatsApp group here “We are proposing to build convert the existing building to a 35-bed HMO. “The area is predominantly residential properties with a few small commercial properties opposite.” The statement said no consultation had taken place between the developers and community members.

Former occupiers of the building Finefit recently moved to different premises nearby. The statement, added: “It is felt that the development will enhance the immediate surroundings. “The development has been designed to be robust and adaptable over time. “This has been achieved by providing sufficient internal and external spaces that provide potential opportunities for the dwelling to be extended, converted and adapted. “The development has been set back from the highway and off‐road parking is provided for numerous cars to the side of the property.” The documents said the only access to the site is from Church Street West and that if approved, the front of the dwelling will be lit at night by automatic sensor lighting.