A councillor has called for restraint after a former village pub earmarked for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) was daubed in graffiti at Glazebury, Warrington.
It follows concerns from local residents about ongoing works to convert the upstairs of the Grey Horse pub on Warrington Road into a HMO.
The premises has since been daubed with anti-HMO slogans.
Local Cllr. Neil Johnson said: “The current situation with The Grey Horse is causing understandable anxiety throughout Glazebury.
“I am working with the Borough Council to ensure that all planning regulations are adhered to. The current situation is that the Council have informed the owner that they would require a change of use application if the upstairs was to be converted into a HMO. Currently, no change of use application has been submitted.
“I will strongly support all residents who oppose the concept of a HMO at The Grey Horse.
“However, I would urge everyone to exercise restraint. Vandalism and criminal damage is not the answer. If anything, this plays into the applicant’s hands. Our community is better than this. We do not need to respond to unwanted or unwelcome proposals with criminal behaviour. As we have shown recently with the CPS Centre application, we can defeat these kind of inappropriate proposals by making our voices heard and through the power of argument.
“I will keep in touch with everyone about the next steps, and support all residents in saying ‘no to a HMO’ in Glazebury.”
