Plans to transform a former end terraced property in Oldham into a coffee shop and five-bed flat, or house of multiple occupation (HMO), have been approved.

An application to erect a three-storey building, comprised of an apartment above a coffee shop on Lees Road, was submitted in January this year.

The proposal sought to replace the current building by expanding it and changing it into a coffee shop on the ground floor with a five-bedroom apartment on the first and second floors.

The applicant also outlined a need for a front elevation to feature the cafe's large display window and fascia sign.

When it came to design, the plans outlined the building would be made of brick to match the appearance of the terraced row though a rendered finish would be added to the rear elevations.

When weighing up the plans, Oldham Council found the proposed building would be in keeping with the rest of the street and would be distinctly similar to the earlier building of the site.

Although the new building is greater in size, it was deemed that the scale, design and setting is "compliant", with noise and traffic levels minimal.

There were no public objections to the plan which were noted by the local authority as evidence that the building would not impact neighbours, plus the omission of an external staircase which featured in the earlier plans were deemed to be "favourable" for neighbours at 320 Lees Road.

However, while the authority found the apartment, which could "potentially function as a small HMO", marginally falls short in terms of floor space as per housing standards, the council approved the plans on February 27.

The coffee shop will also only be allowed to serve customers between the hours 9am and 11pm to protect neighbours.

The council said work on the site must begin within the next three years.