Plans to transform an office building on the edge of Oldham town centre into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) has been given the green light.

On 2 Barker Street, which is opposite Tommyfield Market and intersects with St Mary's Way and Henshaw Street, sits a longstanding "traditional" office block.

But plans were submitted in August to transform the site into a mixed-use of offices and a 12-bed HMO.

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The proposal submitted by MRH Planning Services Limited on behalf of Hunter Capital Group includes erecting a two-storey side extension and a single-storey rear extension.

Alternations will also be made to the existing roof of the building to create a mansard roof with dormers.

The application outlined how the corner plot sits in an "irregular shape" but comes with a private car park at the back of the building for up to six cars.

There is also some "ad-hoc" parking available at the front of the building on a piece of open forecourt land.

The office element of the plan will only take up the ground floor of the two-storey side extension where it will be used as a base for business.

The business will be accessed through its own separate entrance off Henshaw Street and will be comprised of a reception room, main office area, kitchen and toilet facilities.

Meanwhile, the HMO will be staggered across four floors with the basement reserved for a communal sitting/media and games room, plus a utility room, while the ground floor will have two bedrooms and a "large" open shared dining and kitchen area.

The remaining two floors will contain the other 10 bedrooms, with five equally laid out on each.

The application states all the window and door openings have been "carefully designed and positioned" so that they do not overlook surrounding properties though a new window for an ensuite bathroom would be frosted and opaque glazed.

Outside the property, there is amenity space for sitting outside, drying washing, bicycle storage and refuse and recycling bins.

The property developers, Hunter Capital Group, said it plans on investing "significant resources" into the development and said it has already completed similar HMO plans elsewhere in the borough.

It is hoped the HMO will be occupied by professional people due to the "high quality" and "high specification" of the HMO.

The plans also reveal two car parking spaces will be lost by the extension and state some spaces would be privately reserved for workers in the office building.

A tree is also going to be removed, which the applicant said it would compensate for with some low-level green planting.

There were just two objections submitted publicly to the plans as one neighbour expressed concern the HMO could bring an "increase in crime and anti-social behaviour".

The objector added there is already an "out of control increase in HMOs" in Oldham town centre.

Another neighbour was concerned the HMO would present a loss of needed car parking spaces.

They said the existing car park which has eight spaces will be reduced to four, noting that parking to the front of the building has been "taken away" with bollards installed.

The objector continued: "How do you propose to attract 12 professional people to reside at this premises with only four parking spaces and an office to supply parking for too?

"Clearly, professional people will not be attracted to this offer and the HMO will attract anti-social behaviour as many other HMO's in Oldham have already.

"This will cause the need for more security for local residents and businesses to increase pressure on local policing."

But despite the objections, Oldham Council approved the plans in full on October 19.

The decision maker said the development must begin within three years of the permission being granted and no development of the extension of any external walls will take place until samples of the materials have been approved in writing by the local authority.

The developers will also need to establish a scheme to minimise noise and vibrations from demolition and construction works which could affect neighbouring properties.

The approval notice further stipulates the building should not be used as an office or HMO until secure cycle parking has been implemented.

The office will also not be able to operate outside of 8am until 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am until 5.30pm on Saturday.

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