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

Neighbours have slammed 'crazy' plans to turn a former swimming pool building into a shared house for ten people.

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

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

However neighbours are up in arms over the plans.

The developer claims it will be let to young professionals but residents are fearful of bad tenants on cheaper rent causing anti-social behaviour.

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

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

'In this day and age we really shouldn't have people living like this in such small spaces.

'I haven't objected to it yet, but I certainly am going to do so.

'I really don't think it should be here.

'If there's 10 or even 20 people in there it could be a nightmare if they have cars.

'There will be no room for more cars.

'It's outrageous to have that many people in such a small building.

'It's just plain wrong.'

Mother Gemma Bennett, 37, said: 'I have young kids and really worry about more cars in the area.

'This is a quiet family area, and I would worry for my kids have more cars in the street.

'It's just the wrong place for an HMO.'

Mother-of-two Marian Tonge, 70, said: 'It's a crazy place to have an HMO.

'This is a quiet, residential area popular with families where kids play out.

'The increased traffic would be a real problem.

'I lived next door to an HMO and it was a nightmare.

'There were junkies and all sorts of people causing all sorts of anti-social problems.

'The developer claims it will be young professionals but it will probably be people on benefits.'

As she was speaking the developer came to his van, and Marian told him: 'This is not popular round here.

'I will tell you this - I will fight this to my dying day.

'I totally disgree with it.'

The developer, who did not want to give his name, told Mailonline : 'It's needed to provide affordable, luxury accommodation in the area.

'I think the criticism comes because there is a stigma around HMOs.

'Historically some of those attracted the wrong sort of people.

'But there is no reason to think automatically that there will be anti-social behaviour problems here.'

He added: 'I want young professionals here and it will just be one person to a room.'And we won't have ten cars here, we'll make sure of that.'

The application reads: 'It is proposed to change the use of the property from a dwelling house and its incidental swimming pool building to a large HMO.'

The property will accommodate 10 people, each with a single-occupancy bedroom.

'This represents a net gain of four occupants from the fallback position.

'The end users may be students. They may not.

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