A scheme to turn an abandoned former bar in Bolton town centre into a shared house has sparked concerns about “living space and noise".

The old Bar Metro on Bradshawgate has been empty since the venue closed back in 2018 after failing to make enough money to pay rent and being hit by a burglary.

Now plans to convert the site into a house in multiple occupation for as many as 14 people.

Cllr Richard Silvester, of Queens Park and Central, said: “The proposal includes a lounge/kitchen room on the first floor.

“However, I do not believe this is sufficiently large enough for all 14 residents to use such a facility at the same time, and the proposal fails to provide any other form of communal space for shared recreation/living.

The Bolton News: The bar closed down in 2018The bar closed down in 2018 (Image: Newsquest)

“The lack of shared living space would therefore cause an increase in the intensity of use of each bedroom.

“Although an en-suite is provided for each of the bedrooms, I believe that they are insufficient in size to provide a living area to make up for the lack of communal living space provided.”

A previous plan was put forward in December 2022 to convert the former Bar Metro into a new business premises.

This could have been a new shop, restaurant or café, office, or other venue but ultimately nothing was realised.

The Bolton News: The plans have been put before Bolton CouncilThe plans have been put before Bolton Council (Image: RAD)

There have already been several flats found on the upper floors of the building.

Now the plan to create a new shared house has promoted concerns about living space and conditions in Bolton town centre.

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Similar plans put forward elsewhere in the borough have sparked similar objections.

Cllr Silvester said: “I do not see in the documents for this planning application, any noise reduction survey, and therefore I believe that the absence of any survey brings into question whether suitable conditions can be proposed.”

Cllr Silvester, who also sits as council cabinet member for the environment and climate change, confirmed that he was objecting to the plan.

The plans were first put before the council in April of this year.

The authority will aim to decide whether or not to approve the scheme by Friday, June 14.