THE green light has been given for plans to bring an existing property ‘back to life’ by converting it into a HMO.

An application had been submitted to Warrington Borough Council’s planning department seeking a section 192 certificate.

This was for number 124 St Mary Street in Latchford, with applicant George John Read Properties Ltd applying for a change of use to convert the building to a six-bed HMO.

It is the latest in a spate of applications to create HMOs, or houses of multiple occupation, across Warrington over recent months.

Documents submitted as part of the application state: “The building is currently in good structural condition.

“But it has been left for some years without the provision of any basic maintenance, and as a result, deterioration of the internal finishes was evident on inspection.

“In light of this, and in consideration of bringing back the property to life and providing multiple residential accommodation, it has been proposed to refurbish and alter the existing building to meet the needs of future tenants and to improve the external appearance of the property.

“The proposal is to retain the existing property, convert and refurbish it to provide six HMO units.

“The footprint of the dwelling will remain the same and no extensions are proposed.

“External alterations will be limited to basic repairs and maintenance, plus the installations of new windows and external doors. There will be no impact on the street scene.

“Access to the property will remain as existing, via the front and rear doors.

The internal will be refurbished and converted to a high standard. To the ground and first floor existing partition walls will be removed and reconfiguring to provide amended accommodation.

“Additional fire precaution measures and replastering throughout are included with the proposals.

“New kitchens and bathrooms are to be installed, and the property will be decorated throughout with new floor finishes completing the modernisation program.

“All works, including bedroom sizes and layouts, will be in accordance with Warrington Borough Council’s HMO standards guidance note.”

The council considered the pans and granted permission for the application to go ahead.