Proposals for a 10-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) at a property on Grosvenor Street in Prestwich, known locally as Ivy Bank House, were put forward in May. The four-bedroom house is a detached Edwardian family home with an outbuilding that used to house a small "learner pool" known as Ivy Bank Swim School. The applicant, GMPE Property Ltd, said it anticipated prospective residents could be students, as well as young professionals, overseas workers, low-skilled workers, benefit recipients or divorcees.
But after the plans were published, residents voiced concerns, questioning the suitability of the development in the middle of a quiet neighbourhood. Other key objections included the impact of parking pressures, access to the Grosvenor Street location and plans regarding refuse facilities, which were deemed insufficient. More than 60 written objections were submitted to the council’s planning portal, including one from the Prestwich Village Neighbourhood Forum (PVNF) which firmly opposed the plan.
Residents formed the “No to the Ivy Bank HMO” action group to fight the plans, with Sedgely councillors Alan Quinn and Richard Gold giving their backing to the group. Both said they thought the plans were deeply flawed and damaging to the street. Bury South MP Christian Wakeford also submitted a number of official objections, adding: “The proposal is the wrong type of development in the wrong area.
” After weighing up the application, planning officers have turned down the plans on several grounds. Read more: Riverside 6-bed home on School Street on the market A council report about the plans said it was decided that the development, by virtue of its scale and density, would be “seriously detrimental to the residential amenities of nearby occupiers, by reason of the noise, disturbance and general activity associated with the proposed use". The report added: “The proposed density and layout as shown would lead to a poor arrangement of individual and shared accommodation available for the future occupiers of the property and as such would have a detrimental impact on residential amenity of the occupiers.
” The proposals also included plans to erect large dormer windows to the roof of the property, which the council said would not be suitable. Read more: ‘Engine shed’ next to East Lancashire Railway set to become restaurant The report said: “This would result in an uncharacteristic, incongruous, and overly prominent features that would result in harm to the immediate character of the area and the street scene.” Read more: Site of former Bury school completely cleared to make way for housing PVNF has expressed its delight with the council's decision.
A group spokesperson said: “This decision comes as a relief to us all. Our quiet, little neighbourhood of families, young couples, the elderly, and single professionals just getting on the property ladder, all united and rallied together to fight this appalling and potentially devastating proposal. “We wish to thank Bury Council’s planning office for making this carefully considered decision, our local councillors for their support, the Prestwich Village Neighbourhood Forum and our MP Christian Wakeford for his very clear objection.
“Most of all, a huge thanks to the actual neighbours and residents who pulled together to say 'No to the Ivy Bank HMO'. “We understand that work on the property has now been halted and there is the possibility it may be returned to auction following this rejection notice but so far, we have had no confirmation of this. “We’d love to see Ivy Bank return to being a family home or a couple of flats with the out-house converted to garages to ensure adequate parking.
“It’s a beautiful house, with many attractive Edwardian features. It should be enjoyed by those who want to make a life and home in our neighbourhood and not transient dwellers.”.
