A HOUSE of multiple occupation is set to replace the former RBS Bank in Leigh after years of the building being vacant. 

Leigh’s RBS closed back in 2019 alongside two other branches in Atherton and Hindley as 54 were axed across the country.

Although it is in Leigh town centre, the building is far enough away from other HMOs in the area to warrant Wigan Council’s approval.

The site will contain 12 bedrooms, with each room in the listed building to have an ensuite, along with two "reasonable" sized kitchens for the residents to use.

The HMO has "little to no outside amenity space" and no allocated parking spaces for cars on the site. 

A condition to reduce disturbances means "occupiers would be controlled to limit comings and goings and other disturbance".

The smallest of the bedrooms proposed by applicant Akil Properties Ltd would be 11.9 sq.m and the largest 16.9 sq.m.

The two sets of six bedrooms would spread across the first and second floor of the three-storey building.

This would provide "smaller and affordable residential units" for people in the Leigh area, it is claimed. 

“In conclusion, the proposed development is acceptable,” a planning report said.

”The proposal would not be an undue and dominant addition to the site.

"The proposal will not result in unacceptable amenity implications for future occupants or surrounding neighbours, and highway safety would be maintained."