WORK to convert a Barrow bar into a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) has begun/.

In October, members of the planning committee for Barrow approved plans to turn the former Costello's pub on Ramsden Street into an eight-bedroom HMO. The property will consist of a communal lounge, a kitchen and eight en-suite bedrooms.

The application received seven objections and a petition against the development had 14 signatures. 

One of the objectors, a resident living in the area, said there was a lack of parking on the street and too many HMOs with another 'yards away' on Church Street.

"These clients will live far away and will more than likely have cars," they said.

In last year's planning meetings, agent Mark Carroll, speaking on behalf of the applicant Sam Rowles, said: "The previous use must have caused some noise and probably contributed to some anti-social behaviour in the past."  

To this, the resident said: "I lived here two years and not once did I have noise issues from the pub."

READ MORE: Former Costello's bar in Barrow to be converted into HMO

Cllr Bill McEwan sits on the Barrow area planning committee for Westmorland and Furness Council.

He said HMOs are not only for BAE workers but also nurses and NHS staff working at Furness General from outside the area.

Cllr McEwan said the committee was 'damned if they do, damned if they don't' when it comes to HMOs as the secretary of state will ultimately approve them anyway. 

He said: "My view is there are too many. The government doesn't help - if we knock them back the secretary of state will just pass them." 

The planning inspectorate, which works on behalf of the secretary of state, determine appeals when an application is refused by a local authority by putting a proposal against the National Planning Policy Framework laid out by the government. 

Costello's Bar went on the market in May 2022 for £120,000.