House in multiple occupation planning application withdrawn

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Planning to change 71-73 Long Street, Middleton to a House in Multiple Occupancy was withdrawn on Monday

A planning application for a house in multiple occupation (HMO) on Long Street, Middleton was withdrawn on Monday (21 May).

The application, the third for 71-73 Long Street, had been refused on two prior occasions, and had been submitted under a new agent by the applicant Hafeez Khan, who lives in Cheadle.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/117979/third-planning-application-lodged-for-house-in-multiple-occupation-on-long-street

Formerly operating as retail and offices, the application proposed a 16-bedroom HMO across the first and second floors of the three-storey building in Middleton centre, suggesting seven car parking spaces, one disability space and 16 cycle spaces.

37 objections had been received.

A previous application for the site was unanimously refused by the Planning Committee in November, after a prior refusal in March:

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/114090/planning-refused-for-16bedroom-hmo-on-long-street

The recommendation to refuse came from planning officers on the grounds of an unacceptable living environment due to ‘limited floor space’, ‘cramped and substandard communal areas’ and ‘the proximity of shared bathroom facilities to bedroom and kitchen areas’. Planning officers also noted ‘insufficient provision’ was made for storing refuse and recycling containers. 

Additionally, the proposal was ‘considered contrary’ to ‘Guidelines and Standards for Residential Development’ Policy of the adopted Rochdale Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework.