PLANS to turn a former church hall in Crewe into a 10-bed HMO look set to be approved despite objections, especially about lack of parking.

Skope Property Investments has scaled back its plans after originally wanting to convert the former hall on Vincent Street into a 12-bed house in multiple occupation.

The case officer states in a report to next week’s southern planning committee: “During the application process revised plans have been submitted which reduced the number of bedrooms from 12 to 10 with a communal kitchen/dining area, separate utility and WC, and an additional study/lounge area.

“All bedrooms meet the HMO requirements for internal space for one bedroom of 10.21sqm, with all also exceeding the two-bed internal space.

“Each bedroom has an en suite shower room.”

The application has been ‘called-in’ by ward councillor Hazel Faddes (Lab) to be considered by the committee, rather than decided by an officer under delegated authority.

Cllr Faddes, who called it in before the revised scheme was submitted, said the application did not meet the council’s policy for parking standards.

“I also consider it a poor-quality development which offers minimum amenity facilities for any future residents of the HMO,” she said.

Crewe Town Council also objected citing several reasons, including parking.

And about 50 letters of objection have been sent to Cheshire East from local residents.

Their objections include highways concerns, bin storage issues, over-development and impact to quality of life to surrounding properties.

The council’s highways officer acknowledges in the report the building, which was most recently used by First Friends Pre-School, does not have any existing off-street parking.

But the officer states that, based on technical information submitted on the available on-street parking in the vicinity of the site and on the likely car ownership by HMO tenants, the application is acceptable.

The council’s planning officer recommended the application be approved stating the proposed change of use will have little impact on the appearance of the existing building.

“The proposal would provide positive benefits such as the economic sustainability roles by providing employment in the locality during conversion works and social role by providing housing in a sustainable location,” states the officer in the report.

“The retention and re-use of the building is also a positive benefit of the scheme.”

The application will be considered at the next meeting of the southern planning committee which starts at 10am at Crewe Municipal Buildings on Wednesday, December 4.