Barbershop in dwelling at 87 Bridge Street, Heywood, Rochdale

What was proposed

The application sought to convert part of the ground floor from a dwelling to a barbershop, reducing the home from four bedrooms to three.

“Proposal 2.1 Permission is sought to change the use of part of the ground floor from residential (Class C3) to a barbershop (Class E). The only external alteration would see the installation of a fascia sign to the front elevation which would require separate advertisement consent and does not form part of this application.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The property is a two-storey end-of-terrace house in a linear commercial area, beside residential properties and close to the town centre.

“The application relates to 87 Bridge Street, a two storey, end of terrace house located in the Bridge Street Linear Commercial Area as per saved policy S/6 of the Unitary Development Plan (UDP).”

“The application property is located on a corner plot at the junction of Bridge Street and Pilsworth Road, approximately 156m west of the Heywood Town Centre boundary as defined by saved UDP policy G/S/1.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health and Highways raised no objections, finding that noise, traffic, access, servicing and refuse collection could be satisfactorily managed.

“Consultation Responses Environmental Health (Noise) 6.1 The Environmental Protection Team have reviewed the noise assessment prepared by PEAK acoustics, Reference: 1205252, Dated: June 2025. The assessment has concluded the internal noise levels will be met with suitable sound installation by the means of glazing and ventilation.”

“They note that no new access to the highway will be created by this development. They have no concerns regarding servicing or refuse collection from this location and overall have no objections to this proposal.”

Officer report

Objections received

Thirty objections cited loss of residential space, vacant commercial units, barbershop oversupply, parking problems and the site’s busy junction.

“- Loss of residential space. - There are lots of vacant commercial units in Heywood. - Oversupply of barbershops in Heywood. - Officer comments: Where relevant, these are discussed in the Principle of Development section of the report.”

“- Lack of parking. - Development situated at busy junction. Officer comments: Where relevant, these are discussed in the Highways and Road Safety section of the report.”

Officer report

Who spoke

No objectors or applicants spoke, while a ward councillor addressed the committee against the application.

The committee’s concern

Members considered the development inappropriate in a residential area because its visual impact was not in keeping with the established street character and appearance.

“It was MOVED and SECONDED that the application be REFUSED AGAINST OFFICER RECOMMENDATION. Reason for refusal: The proposed development was considered inappropriate within a residential area due to its visual impact, which was not in keeping with the established character and appearance of the street scene.”

“DECISION: That planning permission be REFUSED AGAINST OFFICER RECOMMENDATION. Reason for refusal: The proposed development was considered inappropriate within a residential area due to its visual impact, which was not in keeping with the established character and appearance of the street scene.”

Minutes

The vote

Eight members voted for refusal, one voted against, and one abstained.

“On being put to the vote, EIGHT VOTES were cast IN FAVOUR of refusal and ONE VOTE was cast AGAINST with ONE ABSTENTION.”

Minutes