Seven-bedroom HMO at 26 Wedgwood Road, Whiteway, Bath

“REPORT The application refers to the residential property 26 Wedgwood Road, Whiteway, BA2 1NX.”

“Planning permission is sought for the Change of use from single dwelling (C3) to 7 bedroom hmo.”

“25/04124/FUL Site Location: 26 Wedgwood Road Whiteway Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA2 1NX”

“There is no relevant planning history on this site.”

“I would like to object to this application for an HMO. I believe this does not pass the concentration test as we already have HMOs at numbers 3, 18, 20, 28, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 Wedgwood, which I believe would all fall within the 100 m radius. If the planning officer is minded to approve this application, I would request it is referred to the planning committee.”

“- There is a large number of HMOs in this local area, - This results in the loss of a family home, whilst Councils and Government are saying there are already not enough, - Turing this into a 7-bedroom HMO is a massive overdevelopment of the site, - The communal area is tiny for 7 adults to live there, - The existing parking situation is appalling and the proposal will add further to this problem, - People parking directly on corners making it dangerous.”

“Cllr Halsall acknowledged that the recalculation confirmed that there was less than 10% density of HMOs but commented that 10% was the maximum rather than a target. He stated that he favoured purpose-built student accommodation rather than family homes being converted to HMOs but that the application was policy compliant and he would support the officers’ recommendation.”

“Cllr Jackson stated that although she supported students living in the community and affordable alternatives to purpose built accommodation, she was concerned about the number of people who would be living in this development and the logistics of getting cycles and bins through the living accommodation.”

“Cllr Halsall moved the officers’ recommendation. This was seconded by Cllr Simon.”

“On voting for the motion, it was CARRIED (6 in favour and 3 against).”

“RESOLVED that the application be permitted subject to the conditions set out in the report.”

“1 Standard Time Limit (Compliance) The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.”

“3 Bicycle Storage (Pre-occupation) No occupation of the development shall commence until the bicycle storage has been provided in accordance with the details which have been approved by the Local Planning Authority. The storage shall be retained permanently thereafter.”