KNUTSFORD Town Council has lodged an objection against a proposal to convert a hotel into a house in multiple occupation.

Developers have applied to Cheshire East Council for planning permission to convert the Longview Hotel on Victoria Street into a 6-bedroom private HMO.

The town council’s objection said: “The council OBJECTS on the following grounds: 1. The proposed development would present an unneighbourly relationship with the adjacent property.

“2. The proposal is out of keeping [with] the residential character of the other private-residential properties in the area.

“3. The proposal fails to meet policies T2 and T4 of the Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan. 4. The accommodation proposed within the application falls below unit-size requirements outlined by the draft supplementary planning policy on HMOs of Cheshire East Council.”

In a statement explaining why the property’s owners were seeking planning permission, the developers said: “The Applicant wishes to change the use of this premises as a result of the current Covid-19 pandemic, which has resulted in a complete drop-off of custom for the hotel.

“This has forced a rethink in terms of how the buildings are used and No.4 Victoria Street has been identified as [a] prime opportunity for HMO use as the existing en-suite room layouts lend themselves well to use as HMO.

“All the proposed room sizes are generous in size and are all served by sizable windows for natural light, providing high-quality habitable spaces.”

A further objection has been received from neighbours, concerned at the current parking provision.

The proposals will be discussed at CEC’s planning committee meeting on November 4.