Brighton-based property investment company Rivers Birtwell has submitted two more planning applications for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in Bath.
A bedroom at an HMO property | Library image
The two properties are in Twerton and Southdown. Hampshire-based company Kandoo Property Ltd meanwhile has also submitted plans this month to turn a house in Southdown into shared accommodation.
Rivers Birtwell proposes to change the use of 6 Walwyn Close, which is an end-of-terrace in Twerton, from a three-bed family home into a five-bedroom HMO by adding a single-storey rear extension and bike store.
The HMO will have shared facilities and communal spaces.
The company says there is a low concentration of HMOs in the surrounding area, the number of occupants would be comparable to the existing household, and the introduction of soundproofing measures will ensure no adverse effect on neighbours.
Secure cycle storage and convenient access to frequent local bus services would further reduce the need for private car ownership.
The planning reference is 25/04600/FUL, and the deadline for comment is 31st December.
The company also has plans to extend 146 Englishcombe Lane, turning it from a current small HMO for four people to a large one accommodating eight sharers.
As the property already operates as a lawful HMO (a certificate was given in September), the change to a large HMO represents “only a modest intensification of an existing use”, says the application.
The scheme includes roof alterations for a rear dormer extension, external wall insulated cladding, soundproofing measures and covered and secure cycle and bin storage.
The application says the proposed extension at the semi-detached property falls within permitted development rights.
The HMO will have access to the existing on street parking space at the rear of the site. The site is said to be well located for public transport links.
The planning reference is 25/04537/FUL and the deadline for comments is 24th December.
Kandoo Property Ltd’s plans to change the use of 16 Alderley Road into a small HMO for six sharers include the partial conversion of the existing garage.
The application says the proposed HMO would bring the concentration of such properties within a 100-metre radius up to 4.6%, below the 10% threshold, and that no house would be ‘sandwiched’ by HMOs.
There is space to park up to three vehicles to the front of the terraced house. There is said to be a regular local bus services so occupiers will not be reliant on private cars.
The garden is said to be generous and can provide adequate secure cycle storage.
The planning reference is 25/04650/FUL. The deadline for comments is 3rd January.
In October we reported that amid concerns about HMOs exacerbating the city’s housing crisis, the council is proposing a ban on three-bed ‘family homes’ from being converted to HMOs.
If adopted, it would come into effect as part of the council’s new Local Plan.
