Council opposes HMO and hotel conversion plan in Leigh

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 06:32 · Archive

Wigan Council has expressed significant concerns about a proposal to convert three buildings in Leigh town centre into a 39-bedroom HMO and hotel.

Spencer Reid Ltd has submitted an application to convert three adjacent buildings on Railway Road in Leigh town centre into a mixed hotel and HMO. The development would contain 39 bedrooms with capacity for 48 people, allowing for both tourist accommodation and long-term residential lettings.

Wigan Council's housing enabling team has published a response expressing 'significant concerns' about the proposal. The council said the area already has a concentration of HMOs with ongoing housing management issues, and that other forms of housing such as apartments would be preferred due to evidence of a need for family housing in the locality. The response stated the proposal 'violates the concentration threshold within a 50 metre radius of the application property' and does not comply with the council's HMO policy.

The council also raised concerns about the tenant selection process outlined in the application. The response said that by accepting 'only' tenants in long-term employment, offering only 12-month fixed-term agreements, and imposing a blanket no-pets rule, the scheme would leave tenancy management in breach of recently changed legislation protecting tenants.

How it is being reported

• There are plans for a 37-bed HMO in Leigh, but the council has 'significant concerns'The proposed 'mixed use' conversion has led to concerns about over-concentration of such propertiesManchester Evening News · 21 Oct, 06:12
• Wigan Council’s ‘significant concerns’ about a 37-bed HMO and hotel plans for Leigh town centreAn application to convert buildings close to Leigh town centre into a hotel and HMO has triggered a lot of questionsWigan Today · 20 Oct, 15:45

In this story: Wigan Council · Spencer Reid Ltd · Leigh · Railway Road

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