CONCERNED neighbours have voiced opposition against proposals to introduce more HMO accommodation at Bournemouth’s Manchester Hotel.

The hotel has lodged a change of use application with BCP Council that, if agreed, would give permission for holiday suites on the lower ground floor of the building in St Michael’s Road, with the remaining floors all used as a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

However, neighbours have lodged objections to the hotel being granted permission for change of use status, arguing the area already suffers with issues due to the number of HMOs.

Brian Sutcliffe, of nearby Somerville Road, has lodged his opposition to the scheme with BCP Council’s planning department.

His letter of objection is one of 20 letters on the council’s planning portal from neighbours arguing against granting permission.

Mr Sutcliffe told the council: “This proposal will add a very large number of additional HMO rooms to an area that is already suffers issues from parking, refuse disposal and anti social behaviour, partly due to the overdevelopment of official and unofficial HMOs.”

Meanwhile, Nathan Aldous, St Michael Lane, Bournemouth, said: “St Michaels Road and the West Cliff are the centre of Bournemouth’s hotels and tourism trade, yet it is rapidly becoming an area that people will never want to visit again due to how dirty and run down it has become.

“I have lived in this area for 30 years now and have never felt so unsafe and disappointed at the direction the council are allowing this area to go, it is becoming a major slum, HMOs only make things much worse.”

And Simon Kane, of St Michael’s Road, told the council in his objection: “The last thing St Michaels road needs is an HMO.

“The area has huge drug and alcohol-related issues involving knives among other weapons.

“An HMO would attract more dangerous individuals. This area is in desperate need of regeneration of its hotels and guest houses to attract families back to Bournemouth.

“With the good news of the Savoy becoming a five star spa hotel there is a glimmer of hope that maybe the West Cliff could become a better place to live, work and holiday.”

There are currently no letters in support. The Manchester Hotel was contacted for comment.