Plans to turn a former Royton pub into a seven-bedroom HMO have been approved.

Work on the former site of Murphy's Bar must begin within three years after the application was approved. 

It is the second application of the HMO, with the original outlining 10 bedrooms to be added before they were rejected by Oldham Council. 

The plans also received backlash from local residents, being slammed as an 'outrageous' loss of a community asset.

The pub was originally named Travellers Rest before it was rebranded as Blue Belle Bar and Restaurant.

It was finally named Murphy's Bar, which caused upset itself among Roytoners after its turquoise paint job featuring a mural leprechaun and shamrock was branded an 'eyesore'. 

The resubmitted plans lowered the number of bedrooms to seven and an altered layout. 

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Plans which were submitted by Paddington Planning on behalf of the applicant, Mr Hoxha, show consideration has been taken of the refusal reasons in the previous application. 

The current ground floor plan of the pub shows it is made up of a large open plan space.

The applicant will now change this into individual rooms to create a lounge, a kitchen, three bedrooms and three ensuite bathrooms as well as bicycle storage. 

Meanwhile, the first floor will change to have four bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms as well as another lounge and kitchen area. 

Many of the objections were in relation to the permanent loss of the pub which was addressed in the officer report into the property. 

Oldham Council's planning officer said that the applicant had provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate the building could no longer viably run as a public house.

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Paddington Planning explained in the application that the pub went up for sale in 2012 and, due to a "downturn in trade", the business went into liquidation, owing creditors almost £60,000.

The property was then sold again and renamed Murphy's Bar, which Paddington Planning said they understand the occupiers of "left abruptly on/before 18th December 2023 also leaving creditors bills unpaid".

The planners also sited the existence of another pub, The Junction Inn, "in very close proximity" at 221 Rochdale Road which "has benefits that would draw potential customers away from no.180".

Before any occupants can move into the building, developers must first ensure the bicycle storage is completed as a condition of approval as part of a promotion of sustainable travel.

Oldham Council officially approved the plans on June 14, 2024.

I cover all things Oldham, from business and planning to crime and investigations, as well as community interest stories and events. If you have a story I can help with please get in touch with me at jessica.rothwell@newsquest.co.uk