Row over plans for £1million B&B
AHOUSING developer has defended plans to turn a luxury £1 million mansion into a ‘high-end’ bed and breakfast.
Rockcliffe House in Bacup - which has appeared on the Channel 4 show ‘Million Pound Properties - has been transformed in recent years to include a cinema, pool, bar, spar and sauna.
Owner Gary McCarthur said the Grade II-listed building and its grounds now needs to start ‘paying for itself’ and has submitted a planning application to Rossendale council for a change of use from a residential listed building to a Bed and Breakfast.
More than a dozen residents living on nearby Rockcliffe Villas say they will object to the scheme and fear it will create extra traffic, noise and could be used by ‘stag and hen parties’.
However, Mr McCarthur, who has invested more than £550,000 into the property, said the mansion would not be used to host parties of drunken men and women and said the business will benefit Bacup.
He told the Free Press: “I believe that anyone who wants to put money into Bacup should be welcomed. I bought Rockcliffe House because it was probably the most beautiful property that I’ve ever seen.
“I had a meeting in February with the residents. I’ve never experienced such negativity. I was gobsmacked. At the end of the day this house has to pay for itself.”
He said that if the application was refused he could submit another application to turn the house into a hospital for people with mental health issues.
Mr McCarthur said: “This is a commercial transaction but this is the most peaceful route. It won’t make any difference to me. The property is redundant as a house. I’m doing them a favour bringing money to here. It’s good for everyone. This is going to be somewhere you can take your wife, kids and grandmother.”
Mr McCarthur said he will invest £100,000 in upgrading the road to Rockcliffe House and claimed the scheme could add up to £15,000 onto the value of nearby properties.
He also said that the property - which is currently on the market with a £1 million asking price - could still be sold even if planning permission is approved.
The Bed and Breakfast would be marketed online and could host spa and beauty treatments. The site will be managed by an on-site house keeper with limits on noise and music.