Plans for HMO at former Oswestry church spark objections

Richard Cooke has submitted an application (26/02350/FUL) to convert Hope Church into residential accommodation.

The building on Laburnum Drive has been closed since 2022, and previously received permission to be converted into a 22-bed of house of multiple occupation (HMO). That plan was abandoned because it was deemed that the extent of renovation and alteration works would be financially unviable.

The latest proposal comprises a mix of HMOs and private apartments, together with associated shared storage and community amenity provision.

However, the proposal has attracted many objections, including a petition that has gathered more than 100 signatures.

READ MORE: Former church in Oswestry could be converted into flats and HMOs in new plans

Jack Beddow, who organised the petition, said: “Residents are not opposed to appropriate redevelopment of the former church, however, this proposal is simply too intensive for its location.

“The planning committee has a responsibility to protect the amenities of existing residents and ensure that new development is appropriate in scale, character and impact.”

Meanwhile, Councillor Mark Owen, who represents Oswestry South East, said he will formally object to the application and will ask that it is determined by Shropshire Council’s Northern Planning Committee, rather than under delegated powers.

“We all know that there is a need for homes with one or two bedrooms to house local people,” said Councillor Owen.

“These don’t just need to be affordable but ideally available to house local people on the housing register.

“Developers should play their part in addressing the housing crisis by delivering homes that meet identified local needs, rather than simply increasing the supply of private market-rented accommodation.

“This area is predominantly family homes, almost all current or former council houses and has been this way for decades. It is because of this history of council housing that my parents lived in Hawthorn Grove when I was born and moved to Chestnut Avenue and then Cherry Tree Drive in my early years.

“These plans want to instead squeeze 18 beds onto the site of a former community hub. Developers should instead be working with local registered providers to provide social housing on this site, which is in keeping with the area, meets local needs and will create new decent homes for those who need them the most.”

The former Hope Church in Laburnum Drive, Oswestry. Picture: Base Architects

Submitting a design and access statement on behalf of Mr Cooke, Daniel Gibbons, of Base Architects said the development will contribute towards addressing local housing demand.

“Co-living accommodation can provide an affordable and flexible form of housing suitable for a range of occupiers, including young professionals, key workers, single occupants, and individuals seeking lower-cost accommodation within the local area,” said Mr Gibbons.

“The local housing stock is largely dominated by family housing with comparatively limited provision of flexible/shared accommodation.”

Mr Gibbons added that while planning officers confirmed that the principle of residential conversion of the building was considered acceptable in practical terms, they raised concerns about the overall density and intensity of the proposed development.

A visualisation of what the church would look like should it be converted into housing. Picture: Base Architects

Issues around parking and external recreation space were also highlighted.

“The previous parking layout has been removed in its entirety and no on-site car parking is now proposed as part of the development,” said Mr Gibbons.

“As a result, the requirement for a new vehicular access, associated visibility splays, internal turning arrangements and parking management measures has been eliminated.”

Councillor James Owen, Shropshire Council’s portfolio holder for housing, said that, as of early June, 196  households required a one-bed property and 100 needed a two-bed home.

“There is a clear demand for a lot of new social housing in Oswestry, but current developments are not meeting that need,” he said.