A hotel in Runcorn town centre is set to be converted into a shared accommodation scheme after plans were given the go ahead.

An application to transform Fountains Hotel on High Street into a 12-bed co-living property has been rubber-stamped by Halton Council's planning department.

Co-living properties are similar, but not identical to, houses in multiple occupation (HMO).

An HMO is defined as a property housing three or more people who do not form the same household. They have individual bedrooms but share some facilities, such as kitchens and/or bathrooms.  HMOs housing more than five people must be licensed by councils.

Co-living properties share many of the same elements but tend to focus on particular target markets such as young professionals or remote workers, and are designed to encourage interaction through shared activities, communal areas and social events.

Details about the planned new development are sparse, with documents submitted to the planning department only showing the scheme has been submitted by Bury-based planning agent MGD on behalf of the applicant, Widnes-based Propertunity Commercials.

The application states that the rooms would be made available for social, affordable or intermediate rent.

The general concept of shared accommodation such as HMOs in Halton has proven controversial in the past. But backers say they provide a vital source of affordable housing in an increasingly tough housing market.

In 2022, the council's created a working party to consider policy to address the increase in HMOs and their standards. This led to production of a document which would introduce explicit planning controls on those HMO’s that are subject to planning permission and includes - concentration of HMOs within an area; restricting sandwiching of properties by HMOs; restricting three or more adjacent HMOs,  minimum property standards; and criteria to protect the amenity of neighbours.

It will further inform Halton's new housing strategy which was signed off by borough chiefs in April.