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Search the Public Notice PortalA LANDMARK pub in a Cheshire town could be converted into flats and house in multiple occupation (HMO) if plans get the green light.
An application has been submitted by PJS Spec Developments for the Mersey View Hotel in Halebank, Widnes, which consists of a pub on the ground floor with a seven bed hotel above.
The application wants to turn the ground floor into two flats, with the top floor being turned into a seven-bed HMO.
HMOs are defined as residences with individual bedrooms but some shared facilities such as kitchens and/or bathrooms.
A design and access statement submitted in support of the scheme said it underwent a complete refurbishment in 2021 and re-opened in 2022.
It said: “The focus was to operate as a pub and hotel focussing on hospitality near key local, industrial and leisure sites.”
But it added that although the refurbishment initially went well, there had been a decline in interest with demand hitting an ‘all time low’.
It said: “The popularity has wavered considerably and business is now almost unsustainable.”
It said the plan now was to convert downstairs into two self-contained apartments. The first floor would undergo ‘minial change’ to convert it into an HMO. The statement added that the rear bear garden would be divided to provide gardens for both ground floor apartments, with both lawns having real or artificial grass, with a 2m high perimeter fence.
The statement concluded: “The proposal would provide accommodation for families at ground floor level and professional people alike, with rooms of varying prices.
“There would be less of a nuisance to the surrounding area with it becoming residential as oppose to pub/hotel. Taking all this into account we feel the proposal would meet all relevant council policies while providing accommodation in a place of failing business.”
HMOs have proven controversial locally and nationally, with opponents stating the place too much strain on local infrastructure, while backers ay they provide accommodation for people struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder.
Due to concerns, Halton Council recently implemented tighter restrictions in certain parts of the borough on applications for smaller HMOs – which house five or fewer people – requiring them to need full planning permissions. Larger HMOs have always required full planning permission.
No date has been set for a decision.
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