SIX bids to create houses, flats and apartments will be determined by Wigan Council's planning authority next week, part of a packed agenda for the final committee meeting of 2018.

Applications in both Leigh and Wigan town centres are included along with proposals for Tyldesley and Standish.

With the committee usually required to deliberate on between one to four bids each meeting, next week’s agenda with seven items – all but one relating to accommodation – represents a bumper edition to bring the year to an end.

Here are details of the applications in Leigh and Tyldesley going before the committee:

5 Market Street, Leigh

If successful with their bid, applicant Urban Phoenix hopes to create three houses in multiple occupation at this town centre three storey building.

The premise was formerly a funeral directors but has been vacant in recent years. A total of 14 bedrooms would be created with part of the ground floor retained for retail use.

The location is within the Leigh town centre conservation area and is close to the town hall but officers say the conversion will not have a detrimental impact.

Officers have recommended the committee should be minded to approve subject to conditions.

62 Railway Road, Leigh

Another conversion bid for a house in multiple occupation, JRO Properties wants to adapt this two storey property into 10 bedrooms.

The property formerly had a shop on the ground floor with accommodation on the upper floors.

The shop front will be replaced by a bay window ‘to match others in the terrace’, according to the officer’s report.

However, the bid has attracted objections from ward representatives Cllr Susan Greensmith, Myra Whiteside and Peter Smith.

They raise concerns that some local residents "do not like to walk in this area in the evening" because it has become characterised by anti-social behaviour, according to the planning report.

A concentration of HMOs will have a detrimental impact, they have said, with Railway Road already including a homeless hub and a hostel.  

The applicant says he is an experienced HMO rental landlord, tenants will be required to enter into a minimum six month agreement and the "quality of the refurbishment" and the rental rate is likely to "attract professional workers".

However, the application has been recommended for refusal as it would "contribute to a material change in the mix of types and tenures of residential accommodation in this area".

Land at Wood Street, Tyldesley

Applicant Mr Stephen Daley has requested outline permission for residential development, with approval of access but with all other matters reserved.

An indicative layout showing 24 houses has been provided but is not part of the application, the report states.

Officers say the proposed access for vehicles would cross an area of public open space and would include the removal of trees.

The report reads: “The application proposes that a larger, and more attractive and accessible area of public open space can be provided within the development, although the exact detail of such a provision would form part of a subsequent reserved matters application.”

Objection letters have been received from 22 neighbouring properties raising many concerns including the development’s impact on designated public open space, congestion and disruption during the construction process.

The report says the committee should be "minded to approve" the application and a unilateral undertaking could be agreed with the developer to ensure affordable housing on the site and a financial contribution for off-site amenity open space.