Plans for HMO and hotel for up to 48 people in Leigh town centre

The applicant said there are ‘no plans, or intention by the owners’ for migrants or asylum seekers to be housed at the site

Plans for a ‘flexible’ HMO and hotel for up to 48 people have been submitted for three adjacent buildings in Leigh town centre.

The application for buildings on Railway Road seeks approval to convert the properties into a mixed hotel and HMO building with 39 bedrooms with a capacity for 48 people.

The applicant, Oldham based Spencer Reid Ltd, said the ‘mixed use’ element of the application would allow hotel stays for tourists and business visitors ‘in the usual manner’.

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A design and access statement in support of the plans said: “Permission is sought for all rooms to be approved for hotel use and HMO use.

“The initial intention is for approximately half of the rooms to be for hotel use and half for HMO Use, allocating an entire floor level for a particular use.

“The flexibility of all rooms being approved for both uses allows for the building to respond and adapt to market demands.

“This planning application type follows a template of other successful planning approvals the developer has secured elsewhere in the country.”

The statement addressed potential concerns about whether migrants or asylum seekers would occupy the HMO and hotel.

It said: “Nationally, some hotel and HMO properties are being used to house migrant or asylum applicants.

“This has recently become the focus of some public concern.

“There are no plans, proposals, or intention by the owners for such occupation at this site.”

The application said that contained within the application were three current properties.

44-46 Railway Road has already been converted into self contained studio apartments.

48-50 Railway Road is a former electrical shop that has stood vacant for sometime and 52 Railway road is in use as an existing HMO.

The statement added: “It is proposed to combine the three properties to create a large HMO with flexible hotel use.

“The location is ideal for this use, with Railway Road being a busy and vibrant town centre site.”

The plans seek to improve the front of the building, which is described as ‘unsightly, due to the various properties being altered at different times’.

The plans do not contain any dedicated parking spaces for occupants.

The design and access statement said: “Historically the property has been without off-street parking.

“These arrangements are considered acceptable for the proposed development.

“Indeed, the site lies at a sustainable location within the centre of Leigh and with access to public transport.

“Moreover, on-street parking is available nearby and there are public cark parks within walking distance.”

Leigh MP Jo Platt said she intends to submit a formal objection to the proposal.

She said: “While I support the regeneration of vacant buildings and mixed-use development in principle, I do not believe a 39-bedroom HMO with a stated maximum occupancy of 48 people represents the most appropriate form of development for this site.

“In my view, a scheme centred on self-contained accommodation would better meet local housing needs and support a balanced and sustainable community.”

Planners in Wigan will deliberate on the plans in the coming weeks.