A Bury town centre property could become a house in multiple occupation (HMO) after previous day nursery plans were refused.

Proposals to turn a former, empty office building on Knowsley Street into a shared home have been submitted to the council, four years after a proposal to turn the property into a children’s day nursery were refused.

If successful, the application will see 27 Knowsley Street turned into a nine-bedroom, single occupancy HMO including an extension, boundary fence and gated access. A previous application had planned for eight bedrooms.

A previous application for an eight-bedroom HMO on the street was approved by the council in August this year.

READ MORE: Prestwich centre getting grant to teach children life skills

The fresh application for the nine-bed HMO said: “The application building is currently vacant, but was most recently in use as an office.

“The properties in this terrace row were originally constructed as dwelling houses but have been converted to offices and medical practitioners in the past.

“A number of the properties are now being converted back to residential use.

“The business accommodation along Knowsley Street suffers from vacancy, as there are a number of properties for sale."

Due to its proximity to the town centre, the applicant says future tenants will have good access to shops, services and amenities as well public transport.

In recent months, a number of applications have been submitted to the council for HMOs across the borough.

Earlier this month, plans to turn two properties in Bury and Radcliffe in houses with nine and ten bedrooms respectively.

In September, plans to convert the former Rostrevor Hotel on Manchester Road into an HMO with nine-bedrooms was approved by the council.

READ MORE: Bury Council to receive funding to boost drug and alcohol services

A similar application was also submitted for the Hawthorn Hotel on Stand Lane who planned to convert former guest house into an 18-bedroom HMO, but was thrown out.

The Knowsley Street application includes provision for nine bikes to be stored at the property but no additional on-site parking will be provided.

Allocated parking will be provided on Glenmore Street and pay and display on Knowsley Street under the plans.

A public consultation for the application is now open to the public and it is expected a decision will be made in January next year.