A second attempt to turn part of a GP surgery in Bath into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) has been unsuccessful.
St Michael’s Surgery at Walwyn Way in Twerton
In March we reported that St Michael’s Surgery at Walwyn Close in Twerton had been refused permission to turn the two-storey wing previously used by a dental practice into a four-bed HMO, by altering the layout on the ground and first floors.
The main reason for Bath & North East Somerset Council refusing the first application was the risk of “sandwiching” No. 14 Walwyn Close between two HMOs as No.12 had received planning permission in September 2021 to become one.
Council planning officers were also concerned that two of the proposed bedrooms would have obscured glazed windows, which although designed to ensure no harmful overlooking for neighbours, would cause an unsatisfactory living environment.
The application also failed to secure an EPC (energy performance certificate) level C.
The latest application submitted in early October said the council’s HMO map showed no evidence of No.12 having implemented the change of use and that permission has now expired. The revised plans also made changes to windows.
There were eight objections and local councillor Sarah Moore (Liberal Democrat, Twerton & Whiteway) wrote to raise concerns about the lack of outdoor space, overlooking, and overdevelopment of the site.
She added that when planning permission was granted to the doctors’ surgery to build the dental surgery next door, the reason that had been given was to enable the doctors’ surgery to expand.
Cllr Moore added: “This area urgently needs more doctors, not more HMOs.”
In refusing the application, officers said that the occupier of the first-floor middle bedroom would be subject to an unsatisfactory living environment because of an obscure glazed window: “It is noted that the applicant has sought to overcome this through the addition of a roof light. Although this helps provide more light into the room, there is still no outlook.”
The planners also said that the scheme fails to secure the necessary EPC level C.
