I appreciate that Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) can provide important accommodation for people facing financial hardship or students in need of affordable housing. However, the uncertainty about future occupants of the proposed HMO at 12A Regent Street, Heywood, OL10 3BX is a cause for concern for many parents, including myself. Given its proximity to Woodland Primary School, this concern is compounded.

The location of this development raises crucial and valid concerns about the safety and wellbeing of our children. We're not opposed to HMOs in their entirety, rather we are questioning their suitability in particular locations, especially those close to schools where children frequent daily.

Given the lack of control over who may reside in the property in the future, there’s an underlying risk of these issues manifesting, and they must be seriously considered during the planning application process.

Data from numerous studies suggest that the saturation of HMOs in residential areas can lead to reduced community cohesion and heightened safety concerns. In particular, when such properties are within close proximity to schools, the anxiety among parents about unpredictable changes in their local environment cannot be understated.

We are calling on the planning authorities to carefully evaluate these potential risks and consider alternate solutions or locations that would not compromise the safety and peace of mind of families living in Heywood. Before approving such changes, the priority should be ensuring that local residents' voices are heard and that every precaution is taken to protect the vulnerable population of young children attending Woodland Primary School.

Please support us in objecting to Planning Application PL/2026/0398, and urge the local planning committee to prioritise the safety and well-being of our community's children over the development of more HMOs close to vital community infrastructure. Sign this petition to ensure thoughtful urban planning that respects both the need for affordable housing and the essential duty of care to our children.

This is the personal reason for why we want to object to the planning application. 

What we will raise with the council is as follows: 

Parking Shortages: The plans do not include enough off-street parking, which could lead to congestion on local roads.

Noise and Disruption: Potential impact on the character of the area, including higher noise levels and anti-social behavior risks.

Over-concentration: The area is already saturated with HMOs - 55 within the borough of Rochdale. 

Loss of Family Housing: The property is a valuable family home and its conversion results in the loss of housing stock for local families.