PLANS to turn an empty retail premises into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) have been met with some opposition.

Proposals to change the of use of the premises at 33 Wargrave Road, Newton-le-Willows into a five-person HMO have been submitted to St Helens Council.

The plans have led to some residents sending in letters of objection against the plans.

In opposing the HMO plans, one resident said: "I believe the number of other HMO's in the area should influence decision and I believe there are others in the area that cause significant negative impact on the neighbourhood".

Another added: "I was and still am very upset after receiving the letter notification of this HMO, there are many reasons why, firstly the noise, these are often young people who live in HMO's and this is a quiet street, most of us ageing, the disruption of peace would be inevitable and distressing".

They also expressed concerns over parking and the impact upon property value in the area.

It is not the first planning application in the area to have sparked opposition in the past year.

Recent plans to turn a nearby factory into a gym on Wargrave Road had been approved by the council earlier this year despite a number of objections from residents.

The HMO plans are on standard consultation to the public until Wednesday, October 6 with a determination deadline set for November 5.

View the application here.