An old pub in Ashton will be transformed into a new 54-seat restaurant and a house of multiple occupation (HMO).
Waterloo Tavern, which closed down 10 years ago, is to be converted into an as-yet-unnamed restaurant and takeaway with a four-bedroom HMO above.
The plan for the building on the corner of Oldham Road and Vale Street has proved controversial, with almost 200 people objecting locally.
Geraldine Barrand, who lives locally, felt the plan was not in keeping with the area, the meeting of Tameside Council’s planning panel heard.
She told the councillors gathered in Droylsden how strong smells from the takeaway could impact the HMO residents and neighbours; the hot food could attract rats and other vermin; too many HMOs are already in the area; and that the terrace from the HMO could overlook the adjoining old people’s home.
Her ward councillor, Coun Vimal Choksi, added: “This proposes the unthinkable 54-seater takeaway and HMO. This is an over-intensification of the area.
“The planning report fails to account for the real world effects on Oldham Road. As we know this is for 54 diners, but there is no evidence on fire safety, noise control etc.
“The plan for 12 parking spaces fails to reflect the volume and turnover of vehicles at this site.”
Aisha Yaseen, speaking on behalf of the developer Aim Properties Manchester Ltd, understood change was concerning for locals. She felt scaling back the size of the HMO from five bedrooms to four bedrooms shows they are open to changing to benefit the community.
Ms Yaseen told the panel: “We believe this development will benefit the area. We chose it because it’s not smack bang in residential streets.
“There are already commercial buildings in the vicinity. We appreciate it’s a bust area but we don’t think it will have a detrimental effect.”
Coun Choksi and his fellow objectors were left ‘disappointed’ after the plan was approved by a fine margin on 25 June.
Chair of the planning panel, Coun David Mills, had the deciding vote after being the only one in favour of the proposal and Coun Doreen Dickinson was the only one against, with three abstentions.
