November planning round up: The big Oldham planning stories

From a controversial Airbnb application to a town centre building possibly seeing a major redevelopment, here are the biggest planning stories from last month.

Plans for new hotel given go-ahead

Permission has been given to develop a new hotel at a former pub in Royton.

The site, on Union Street, will have nine apartments rooms, some of which will be duplexes.

The property on Union Street (Image: Google Maps)

Each of the rooms will have a bathroom as well as a kitchen and dining area, with four of the apartments being two-bedroom units while the other five will have one bedroom.

The proposal was approved after it was felt a hotel would not negatively impact the area and would help to create local employment opportunities.

Former restaurant to become bedsits

A former restaurant, which already has eight bedsits on its upper floors, is set to be fully converted with the addition of five new studio apartments, despite concerns from neighbours.

The property where the Bengal Brasserie restaurant was based, Milnrow Road in Shaw, will now serve as 13 bedsits, most of which have an open plan bedroom and living room as well as a separate kitchen and bathroom, while one flat will have a private bedroom from the living/kitchen area.

Permission to extend the building was given in 2021 (Image: Google Maps)

The proposal was approved despite nearly a dozen neighbours publicly objected to the plans, raising concerns over privacy, noise and the existence of other housing developments.

However, a planning officer for the council who inspected the plans found no issues with the proposal.

Airbnb rejected

A property cannot operate as an Airbnb after permission for the change of use of the building was refused following complaints from neighbours.

A planning application to change the use of a building on Rochdale Road in Royton from a house to a "short-term holiday let" was submitted, however it was found during the consultation process the property was already being used as an Airbnb.

The property on Rochdale Road (Image: Google)

Twenty four objections and 12 support comments were received from the public before the application was rejected.

The application was refused in large part due to the impact it would have on residents in the area.

Town centre building could be redeveloped

A firm feature of Oldham town centre's landscape could be set for a major redevelopment following the submission of a planning application.

Phoenix House, which sits on Union Street, previously operated as an office building for the Department for Work and Pensions before its closure in 2022.

Phoenix House (Image: Google Maps)

Since then, the building has been unoccupied, however a proposal has now been submitted to develop the building into 82 flats.

Along with at least one bedroom, each flat would have a bathroom and a kitchen/living area.