March planning round up, including former bank into flats

From a former bank being converted into flats to house in multiple occupation (HMO) plans being accepted, and rejected, here are the biggest planning stories of the month in Oldham.

Former bank to become apartments

A former bank in Shaw is set to be converted into apartments less than three years after plans to turn it into a bar and flats were given the green light.

The former Royal Bank of Scotland branch on Rochdale Road was set to be turned into a bar and HMO after plans were approved in 2021.

The building was formerly a Royal Bank of Scotland branch (Image: Google Maps)

The property was then put up for sale on Rightmove in 2022 and was purchased, which saw a new planning application to turn it into seven one-bedroom flats submitted.

These plans have now been approved, meaning the former bank will become entirely residential.

HMO to be developed above grocery store

A HMO is coming to a property which is used as a grocery store on the ground floor.

The property on Ashton Road currently serves as Oldham Food Store on the ground floor with the first floor being in residential use.

Oldham Food Store on Ashton Road (Image: Google Maps)

Now, the entire first floor will become a five-bedroom HMO, with a shared kitchen and bathrooms.

Put into HMO plans rejected

One place where a HMO has not been approved is at the former Murphy's Bar in Royton, where a proposal for a 10-bed HMO was not approved.

The pub on Rochdale has been vacant since December last year and plans sought to demolish some areas on the ground and developing into shared living accommodation.

Murphy's Bar on Rochdale Road (Image: Newsquest)

Dozens of residents voiced their opposition to the plans, citing concerns over parking, crime and noise.

The plans were rejected on behalf of the council on the grounds that the loss of the pub would be bad for the borough and some of the bedrooms did not meet the "adequate standards of amenity".