PLANS to turn a former Wombwell bank into the largest house of multiple occupation in the entirety of Barnsley - where a total of SEVENTEEN people could live - have been submitted to Barnsley Council.

The four-storey building is situated on High Street and was formerly the Natwest branch.

The ground floor of the studio is currently used as a tattoo parlour, but plans have recently been submitted to the council to turn the upper three floors of the site - which are currently vacant - into a 17-bed HMO.

The rooms would each be ten metres squared - meeting the national and council requirements for a shared house - and there would be shared dining facilities.

A planning report states that the plans should be approved by the council as it would boost the local economy and add more living space to the area.

The report added: “The proposed change of use will enable the creation of affordable, fully serviced residential accommodation managed by the owners of the building.

“It will add to the local residential offer in what would otherwise be vacant/redundant upper floor accommodation offering no contribution to the local economy and the vitality and viability of Wombwell’s centre.

“It is proposed to convert and slightly extend at the rear the redundant upper floors of the building into 17 en-suite residential rooms, that average out at over ten metres squared each.

“The premises have no parking spaces and this will remain the case after the extension due to the location and nature of the building.

“However, immediately abutting the site is a substantial municipal car park and this is complemented by the adjoining public parking areas off Mayflower Way and Summer Lane.

“The proposals seem compatible with local and national planning policy and design guidance in a suitable central location to make full use of local amenities and public transport.

“It would bring back into use what would otherwise be redundant accommodation that contributes little to the local economy.”

If the plans are given the green light by the council’s planning board, it would make it the largest HMO in Barnsley.

The current largest in the town is also based in Wombwell, with a 13-bed HMO situated on Station Road.

Coun Robert Frost, who represents the Wombwell ward, has expressed he and his ward councillors - Couns James Higginbottom and Brenda Eastwood - are concerned with the plans.

He told the Chronicle: “We have concerns that there is an oversupply of HMOs and flats in the area which contravenes the local planning policy.

“Within the area they are on Park Street, Station Road, Kelvin Grove, Summer Lane, Barnsley Road, and High Street.

“There is no plan for waste storage which would require a lot of bins and there is minimal outside space

“There are proposed to be 17 residents without any parking spaces.

“The application says that the property backs on the council owned car park, but this is for shoppers and visitors to Wombwell and is often full so to be used for residential parking may deter some shoppers from coming to Wombwell.”

Ten neighbouring properties have been made aware of the plans with public consultation due to end on November 27.

A target decision date has been set for December 9.