Large 22-bed HMO planned for former Oswestry town centre hotel
A former hotel is Oswestry could become a large house in multiple occupation (HMO) if plans are given the green light.
The Smithfield Hotel in Oswestry, also once known as The Bear Hotel and most recently as the home of the Bullring Bar, closed in 2015.
Around two years later, plans to convert the Georgian building into apartments were given the green light by Shropshire Council.
While work began on the conversion, with the building being stripped internally, the development was never completed.
Now, Mr Jassy Sindhu of Your Property Ventures, is proposing to convert the property into a large 22-bedroom HMO.
Documents, submitted by agents Creative Planning on behalf of Mr Sindhu, state there would be seven en-suite bedrooms each on the ground and first floor, with eight on the second.
The plans state there would also be two kitchens and a communal living space while the existing cellar would be utilised as a laundry room and storage.
The proposal also states that seven parking spaces would be provided for residents and a nearby public car park would provide "sufficient parking" in the "highly sustainable area".
The application concludes: "The previous approval for seven apartments has not been built out as there is little demand for such residential accommodation in the town centre.
"The provision of a larger HMO will provide much-needed lower-cost housing accommodation, whilst securing the continued occupation and maintenance of the building and the site."
The full application is available to view online at on Shropshire Council's planning portal using reference number: 25/02361/FUL
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