Councillors deliver verdict on HMO plan for Adlington village post office in Chorley

A former village post office in Chorley will not become a house in multiple occupation (HMO) after councillors rejected a bid to convert the residential part of the property.

Chorley Council planning officials had recommended that the authority’s planning committee approve the proposal for the vacant Adlington Post Office on Market Place, which relocated in January.

Under the blueprint, the retail area would have been divided to create two separate shop units, while the existing, single residence - above and to the rear of the premises - would have become a six-bed share house. A standalone bedsit would also have been developed within a planned extension that would have replaced a conservatory area.

Fourteen public objections were lodged to the plans, with concerns ranging from the potential for noise and disturbance, to lack of parking space and a loss of privacy for nearby residents.

However, council planning officer Chris Smith told the meeting that the scheme was “in compliance” with local planning policy and that the building was "capable of accommodating the…development” without causing “unacceptable adverse harm” to those living nearby.

Although the authority’s environmental health team and Lancashire County Council highways chiefs had no objection to the project, ward councillor Peter Wilson urged committee members to contrast the site in its current form to the proposed revamp - which he described as a "significant transformation”.

“We are looking at the difference between one business and one residential dwelling, compared to two businesses and nine [or] 10 people residing in that building,” Cllr Wilson said.

He added that the “high turnover” of residents associated with HMOs and the “comings and goings at a variety of times throughout the day” were likely to lead to a noise nuisance, while the provision of only one off-street parking space was not "anywhere near adequate”.

However, Sam Hyde, the applicant behind the plans stressed that the site was in a "town centre spot” and that residents in other HMOs he owns “generally don't drive”.

A council officer report presented to the committee noted that while dedicated parking was below the level usually required by local planning policy, the location was in the vicinity of “a range of services” and bus stops - and just 125 metres from Adlington railway station. Cycle storage was also to be provided for residents.

HMOs are made up of several unrelated individuals who share facilities such as bathrooms, toilets and kitchens.

Mr. Hyde stressed that his proposed dwellings were “not social housing” and were not designed to a “minimum” standard - instead being aimed at “working professionals who want their own space, close to transport”.

“With the cost of living where it is, affording a place on your own is hard - and a well-run HMO gives people a real affordable foothold in the area,” he said.

But the committee was unconvinced. Cllr Katie Wilkie said while she welcomed doubling the number of retail units, there would be “too many” residents in the living quarters.

She also suggested Mr. Hyde had created a solo parking space that he could use for himself, but “everybody else can arrive on their unicycle” - and said she believed the tenants would want to have cars.

Meanwhile, Cllr Russ Green questioned the characterisation of future residents as professionals. “I don't buy that whatsoever,” he said.

“[As a professional person], I want to be able to have a desk and a computer and…spread my paperwork out. But you look at these rooms and they’re tiny,” Cllr Green added.

The committee voted unanimously to refuse the application.

The post office is now based in the Leafresh shop on Park Road.