AN end-of-terrace house will be converted into a ‘house of multiple occupation’ after planning chiefs gave plans the go ahead last night.

Applicant Eminence Developments want to turn the property, in Heywood Street, into a 'high quality' seven bedroom facility, housing a maximum of nine ‘working professionals’.

However, 150 residents living close to the site have signed a petition opposing the plans for the property, which is currently empty.

Their main concerns were to do with a lack of on site parking, which they claim will increase traffic congestion in the area.

Speaking at the meeting of Bury Council’s planning committee last night, one resident living in the area said: “In that block of houses, there are 11 properties and only six parking spaces.

“The majority of residents living in those houses are disabled and they are already having major issues with parking. To take nine more tenants does not make sense.

“It is not safe for the community already, never mind having more cars there.”

East ward councillor Trevor Holt also spoke out in opposition to the plans.

He said: “These residents are not nimbys. They have very real concerns, the main one being traffic.

“There is a residents parking scheme in place in the area, but there are still not enough spaces to accommodate residents.

“If you go down Heywood Street any night at rush hour, it is completely gridlocked and this will only add to that.

“Myself and residents believe this will not add anything to the area. It will detract from it and make matters worse.”

A representative from Eminence Developments spoke in favour of the plans and said that both traffic and parking were unlikely to be an issue as houses of multiple occupancy residents tended not to own their vehicles.

The committee voted to approve the plans with conditions.