Owners of a “spotless” and “cosy” bed and breakfast in Bath have been given the go-ahead to turn it into a shared house.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has granted planning permission for the change of use of Bay Tree House from a bed and breakfast to a house in multiple occupation (HMO).
An HMO is a property rented out to three or more people who are not considered one “household”, with Bay Tree House having space for six sharers to move in.
But the website of the hotel, on Crescent Gardens, which has a four-and-a-half star rating on trip advisor, still shows rooms available to book into February next year.
The bed and breakfast has received glowing reviews on the ratings website.
Keith, who stayed there in January, wrote: “My stay was so easy and very welcoming. The room I most recently stayed in — on the ground floor — was spotless, cosy and spacious. I have travelled a lot and I could not recommend Bay Tree House more strongly.”
Martin, who stayed last April, gave the place top marks and wrote: “The room was spacious and the bathroom enormous for a bed and breakfast. All toiletries were provided and it was spotlessly clean and tidy.”
Council officers approved the application, stating that the rooms were larger than the minimum size requirements and that there were not so many HMOs in the area that another one would create a high concentration.
No changes to the floor plans are to be made as part of the conversion, although six cycle parking spaces will be installed outside.
John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter