A former pub in Chorley is to be converted into more than a dozen bedsits – some of which have been blasted by councillors for being like “a small box”. The Duke of York, just south of the town centre, closed its doors for the final time almost two years ago and planning permission has now been granted to turn it into housing. Fourteen rooms are to be created across the ground floor and basement of the Bolton Street premises, establishing a so-called “house in multiple occupation” (HMO).
The bedsits will each have their own ensuite area, but the people living there will share a communal kitchen and living room. Elsewhere, on the first and second floors, six self-contained one-bedroomed flats will be developed. However, the size of some of the accommodation within the HMO – which ranges from just 6.
7sq/m up to 16.3sq/m – attracted criticism from members of Chorley Council’s planning committee. Cllr Alistair Morwood, who is also the authority’s cabinet member for planning and development, accused the applicant of being “greedy” by cramming in too many rooms.
“I don’t know who it’s aimed at, [but] there is a bedroom...
[of] 11.1sq/m – a small box. I just think that’s outrageous.
“Sadly, there is no planning reason to turn it down, but I think that’s out of order. "It’s time we started bringing in some standards that say how big these things should be – especially in a basement, with limited light,” Cllr Morwood said. Deputy committee chai.