Neighbours slam ‘crazy’ plans to turn a former swimming pool building into a shared house for TEN people

Neighbors have rejected ‘crazy’ plans to turn a former swimming pool building into a shared home for ten people.

A planning application has been submitted to convert a house and pool building in Prestwich, Gtr Manchester, into a 10-bedroom multiple occupancy home (HMO).

The property in Grosvenor Street contains a children’s swimming pool which would be demolished under plans submitted to Bury Council.

But neighbors are outraged by the plans.

The developer claims it will be rented to young professionals, but residents fear bad tenants with lower rents, causing anti-social behaviour.

Retired engineer Tom Dickinson, 73, was born in the house where he currently lives, next to the swimming pool.

The property in Grosvenor Street contains a children’s swimming pool which would be demolished under plans submitted to Bury Council

Retired engineer Tom Dickinson, 73, was born in the house where he currently lives, next to the swimming pool

The father-of-two said: ‘It’s a terrible idea.

‘Nowadays we shouldn’t have people living in such small spaces.

‘I haven’t objected to it yet, but I certainly will.

“I really don’t think it should be here.

“If there are ten or even twenty people in there, it can be a nightmare if they have cars.

‘There will be no more room for cars.

‘It’s scandalous to have so many people in such a small building.

“It’s just wrong.”

Mum Gemma Bennett, 37, said: ‘I have young children and am really concerned about more cars in the area.

“This is a quiet family neighborhood and I would be concerned because my children have more cars on the street.

“It’s just the wrong place for an HMO.”

Mum-of-two Marian Tonge, 70, said: ‘It’s a crazy place to have a healthcare organisation.

‘This is a quiet residential area popular with families where children play.

“The increased traffic would be a real problem.

‘I lived next to a care facility and it was a nightmare.

‘There were junkies and all kinds of people causing all kinds of antisocial problems.

“The developer claims they will be young professionals, but they are probably people on benefits.”

As she was talking, the developer came to his van and Marian told him, “This isn’t popular here.

“I’ll tell you this, I’ll fight this until my dying day.

“I strongly disagree.”

But the neighbors are outraged by the plans for the swimming pool (stock image)

The developer, who did not want to be named, told Mailonline: ‘It is necessary to provide affordable, luxury accommodation in the area.

‘I think the criticism is because there is a stigma around healthcare organizations.

“Historically, some of those attracted the wrong kind of people.

‘But there is no reason to automatically think that there will be antisocial behavioral problems here.’

He added: “I want to have young professionals here and it will only be one person per room. “And we won’t have ten cars here, we will take care of that.”

The application reads: ‘It is proposed to change the use of the property from a residential home and associated swimming pool building to a large healthcare organisation.’

The house can accommodate 10 people, each with a bedroom for one person.

‘This represents a net gain of four occupants compared to the avoidance position.

‘The end users can be students. Maybe not.

‘More mixed HMO markets are forming, including social groups such as young professionals, international migrant workers, low-skilled workers, benefit recipients and divorced women.’