Indian restaurant next to Heaton Park could be converted into 13-bed shared house with ‘cinema room’

An Indian restaurant near Heaton Park could become a 13-bedroom shared home. Plans have been submitted to Bury Council for the conversion of the Prachee restaurant building on Whittaker Lane, Prestwich.

The building is just 50 metres from the Heaton Park Metrolink stop and close to the park entrance on the other side of Bury Old Road. The Prachee currently occupies the ground and basement of the building, at the corner of Whittaker Lane and Stores Street.

In the late 19th century the property was the first outlying branch of the Prestwich Co-operative Society. A design and access report, in support of the plans, said: “The application is for a change of use to a 13 bedroom HMO with en-suite accommodation at ground and first floor levels and communal facilities within the basement area.

“The basement will accessed internally from the rooms by a new centrally located staircase and will include a kitchen/diner, cinema room, games room, study and laundry for residents.” Alterations to the building would include new windows and the creation of a rear light well providing outdoor seating.

All the 13 bedrooms would be designed for single occupancy. Bury Council has previously approved a four-bed HMO on the first floor, which has not yet been developed. The report in support of the application, added: “The surrounding area is of mixed commercial and residential use, with the property occupying a corner frontage position of transition between commercial and residential uses.

“The conversion to a HMO is entirely consistent with the mixed character of the area. “The alterations to the external building fabric respect its character and the removal of the large rear steel flue, security shutters and signs along with its general renovation, will significantly improve its appearance within the street scene.”

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No dedicated car parking for the residents is included in the plans. Bury Council’s planning department will decide on the plans in the coming weeks.