Office and three-bedroom HMO at 263 Bury Old Road, Prestwich, Manchester

“Immediate neighbours include a hairdresser, attached, with a flat above, accessed from the rear of the application site via an external street staircase, social housing opposite on Newtown Street; Heaton Park opposite across Bury Old Road; and a carpet warehouse to the rear.”

“The application site is located approximately 45m north of the northern edge of the allocated Whittaker Lane/ Bury Old Road Local Shopping Centre, and approximately 85m from Heaton Park Tram Stop, which is located on the corner of Bury Old Road and Whittaker Lane.”

“Relevant Planning History 58157 - Lawful Development Certificate for the existing use of the ground floor as a hot food…”

“70844 - Change of use of existing ground floor take-away (Sui Generis) to commercial (Class E) and HMO with new glazed shopfront and elevational treatment at side; First floor rear extension; Loft conversion with rear dormer - Withdrawn - Invalid, 26/07/2024”

“Access, parking & movement The site sits on a highly accessible corridor with frequent buses on Bury Old Road and in close proximity to Heaton Park Metrolink Station. Bus Stops exist within 60 metres of the application site. Day-to-day trips can be made by public transport, walking and cycling to both the boroughs Town Centres and Manchester City Centre. The accessible location of this proposed development accords with the locational requirements of PfE Policy JP-C1.”

“During the course of this application has been amended to move the entrance for the HMO element of the proposals from the recessed rear of the rear of the property to the side elevation on Newtown Street. This will result in better sight lines/ visibility, lighting and surveillance within the street to resolve the security point raised by GMP. Finally, the initial proposal to access the proposed bike storage area from the proposed kitchen area.”

“Statutory/Non-Statutory Consultations Traffic Section - No objections, subject to a condition ensuring opening…”

“Greater Manchester Police - designforsecurity - Raised the following concerns to the proposals as initially submitted: 1. The access to the first floor HMO is recessed and taken from the rear where it is obscured from view, and this will potentially leave residents/visitors vulnerable as they cannot view any potential treats when arriving/leaving. It will also allow an offender to conceal themselves from view, affording them additional time to force entry. 2.”

“263 Bury Old Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 1JA 4. That the Committee Approved with Conditions the following application in accordance with the reasons put forward by the Development Manager in the report and the supplementary information submitted with condition 6 listed in the supplementary report being amended to read condition 7 and subject to all other conditions included: -”

“263 Bury Old Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 1JA Change of use from hot-food takeaway (Use Class Sui Generis) to part ground floor office (Use Class E) and part ground floor and all first floor 3bedroom (single occupancy) House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Use Class C4)”