11-bed house conversion gets green light on split vote

A CONTROVERSIAL application to create an 11-bedroom house of multiple occupancy in a semi-detached property was approved last night.

Councillors had originally deferred the application to allow the applicant to provide more information about the layout and design of the property at 646 Ripponden Road. The changes will create 11 separate bedrooms, alongside a communal lounge, kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities. Currently containing five flats, the plans will require a substantial alteration to some of the internal walls. Objector Rob Ferris, who lives in the neighbouring property, raised concerns about sound, parking and waste disposal at the property.

However applicant Peter Charnley argued that these issues had been addressed in the plans. “Based on our experience in other homes of multiple occupancy, the professionals who rent these homes do not use cars to commute to work and generally walk or use public transport as they cannot afford to run a car,” he said.
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