Bolton Apartment Converted to Six-Bedroom HMO Without Approval
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Bolton Apartment Converted to Six-Bedroom HMO Without Approval
- An apartment above a shop in Bolton was converted into a six-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) with work commencing on February 1, 2025, and retrospective planning permission now being sought from Bolton Council.
- Bolton Council implemented an Article 4 Direction on June 13, 2025, requiring planning permission for all HMO conversions, regardless of size, following concerns about an increase in such properties.
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An apartment located above the Aqsa Food Store on Derby Street, Daubhill, in Bolton has been converted into a six-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) without prior planning permission. The conversion work reportedly began on February 1, 2025, and an application for retrospective planning permission has since been submitted to Bolton Council.
The property, a two-storey end-terrace building, previously comprised a large apartment on part of the ground floor and the entire first floor, which has now been adapted to accommodate six residents. The proposed layout includes a kitchen, diner, communal room, porch, and hallway on the ground floor, with six bedrooms, two bathrooms, and storage on the first floor. Each bedroom is designed to be between 15 and 19 square meters, with an additional 88 square meters of communal living space provided. No external alterations or extensions to the building are planned, and the ground-floor shop will remain operational.
This development comes after Bolton Council introduced an Article 4 Direction on June 13, 2025. This directive removed “permitted development rights,” meaning that all conversions of properties into HMOs, regardless of their size, now require full planning permission. The council’s decision to implement the Article 4 Direction was driven by concerns regarding the significant increase in HMO conversions across the borough and their potential impact on local communities. While retrospective applications can be submitted, approval is not guaranteed, and authorities can issue enforcement notices for non-compliance.