Residents to protest HMOs as councillors call for tighter restrictions

Friday, 4 April 2025 20:55

By Charlotte Hall, Local Democracy Reporter

Residents are gearing up for a peaceful protest following what they describe as a ‘deluge of HMOs’ in an Oldham town.

The ‘respectful gathering’, due to take place outside Shaw’s lifelong learning centre on Sunday (April 6), was sparked by an application to turn the former Crompton Health Centre into a 22-bed HMO.

But local campaigners say the application is just ‘the tip of the iceberg’ of what is perceived as an ‘endless influx of HMOs’ in Shaw.

Local activist Beverley McManus told the LDRS: “HMOs are flooding into our town and we’re not getting any investment. We can already see how the town has deteriorated.

“We just haven’t got the infrastructure. We haven’t got the roads, the doctors and dentists are already full.”

Shaw residents say they have seen the loss of several local businesses and amenities in recent years, with fears they will be replaced by HMOs instead of ‘places that benefit the community such as youth centres or places for the elderly to meet’.

Town planners can’t say exactly how many HMOs are in the town, as properties with less than six inhabitants currently don’t require planning permission.

But Oldham councillors believe the total number in the borough has ‘almost doubled’ in the last five years, leading to ‘overcrowding and pressures on local services’.

Councillor Elaine Taylor, who leads on housing for the council, and coun Peter Davis are now calling on the government to tighten restrictions and require planning permission on all HMOs.

They have invited fellow councillors to vote to request the support from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to reform the planning policy at a full council meeting on Wednesday, April 10. A motion states the current rules ‘limit the ability of local authorities to manage their spread and ensure they are appropriately located and regulated’.

Marc Hince, a Shaw councillor and chair of Oldham’s planning committee, expressed his support for the motion.

“Shaw isn’t unique,” he said. “The biggest issue I’ve found with HMOs is the lack of consultation and engagement. It’s always a balance between what a community wants and meeting housing needs. But HMOs are not the solution to the housing crisis – they’re a symptom of it.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Greater Manchester

All the key developments planned for Greater Manchester

Six housing blocks could be torn down in one borough and Manchester’s tallest tower could be built in another.
‘We’re excluded from the project we started’: Charity behind parkland hall restoration ‘does not accept’ council decision to end partnership

A charity instrumental to a project aiming to bring back a historic hall into community use has had its contract terminated.
Inconsiderate drivers told not to park in ambulance bays at A&E

A plea has been issued to drivers not to park in ambulance bays outside a hospital’s emergency department. Work will start later this month to transform the department at Royal Bolton Hospital.
Candidates confirmed for Rochdale council by-election next month

Seven candidates have been confirmed to stand in the Balderstone & Kirkholt Ward by-election next month.
Groundbreaking marks start of work at landmark new Radcliffe school

Work has begun on Morgan Sindall Construction’s latest education project in Greater Manchester.
Domestic abuse survivor encourages other victims and survivors to report their experiences via Live Chat

We’ve reunited a survivor of rape and domestic abuse with the two women who helped her through her initial report; call handler Emma, and responding and investigating officer based at Rochdale CID, Detective Sergeant Ruth Thompson.
Tram crashes surge by 30 per cent in 2024

Crashes involving Metrolink trams and cars surged by 30 per cent last year, new data shows.
‘Little Billy don’t be silly, I trapping till I make a milly’ wannabe rapper jailed for drugs supply and exploitation

Following a meticulous investigation by our specialist County Lines Team, William Bates has been jailed for nine years and seven months for a string of drug offences.