Six-bedroom HMO conversion at 2 Steep Rise, Oxford

What was proposed

The application sought an HMO conversion, alterations to the rear extension, new side windows, and bin and bike storage, partly retrospectively.

“Proposal Change of use of dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4. Alterations to existing single storey rear extension flat roof eaves detail and amendments to the doors and windows in the rear elevation. Insertion of four windows in the North side elevations at ground and first floor. Provision of bin and bike stores. Part retrospective. (Amended Description) (Amended Drawings)”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a semi-detached house in a residential area, with extensions constructed under an earlier permission and a passageway beside its northern boundary.

“The site is located in the Northway residential area of Headington, Oxford on the western side of Steep Rise, see figure 1 below. A passageway along the northern boundary gives access to the rear gardens of 50 Foxwell Drive. The site slopes downwards from the southern side to the northern side. Extensions to the side and rear of the house have been constructed under permission granted by 24/01687/FUL and at the time of a site visit were approaching completion.”

“The house is semi-detached and has a two-storey side extension, along with a single storey rear extension with a smaller first floor extension above constructed and substantially completed under planning permission 24/01687/FUL.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal was considered sustainable, visually acceptable, suitable for shared accommodation and unlikely to harm neighbours or highways.

“The development would make the best and most efficient use of the site and provide a high quality and sustainable development. The principle of the use on this site in this location is acceptable. It would meet the demand for high quality shared accommodation.”

“In terms of impact on residential amenity, there would be no detrimental impact on neighbours in terms of overbearing or loss of privacy, outlook or sunlight and daylight.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

Officers assessed design, HMO density, facilities, residential amenity, drainage and car parking, finding the proposal acceptable subject to conditions.

“Officers consider the determining issues to be: a. Design b. HMO Density c. Facilities and amenities d. Residential amenity e. Flooding and drainage f. Car parking…”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

The highway authority raised no objection subject to a parking-permit condition, while an objection cited HMO concentration, parking, traffic, noise, infrastructure and other impacts.

“Local Highway Authority: No objection, subject to a condition removing eligibility for parking permits.”

“Overdevelopment • Overconcentration of HMOs • Impact on hared water supply and infrastructure • Effect on parking and highway issues • Effect on adjacent properties • Effect on character of area • Effect on existing community facilities • Effect on pollution • Effect on traffic • Increase in noise and disturbance • Damaging to local community • Disturbance during construction • Effect on highway safety • Poor quality accommodation • Noise and disturbance…”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

The planning officer gave a verbal update and presentation covering a further comment, the proposal, the site and the planning assessment.

The committee vote

After being proposed and seconded, the committee voted to agree with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application.

“On being proposed, seconded, and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application for the reasons listed on the report.”

Minutes

The final decision

The committee approved the application, subject to the report’s conditions, and delegated authority to finalise the conditions and issue permission.

“The Oxford City Planning Committee resolved to: 1. Approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the required planning conditions set out in section 12 of this report and grant planning permission; and 2.”

Minutes