After plans to turn a property in Southdown into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) were refused because there are already too many nearby, an appeal has been lodged with the Secretary of State.
In May a planning application was submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council for 32 The Oval, which is near the junction with Chestnut Grove.
The proposal for the three-bed semi involved building a single-storey rear and loft dormer extensions and changing the use to a six-bed HMO.
The house currently has parking for one car and one extra space was being proposed.
The council received 10 objections with concerns about the housing mix, HMO density, the impact on parking and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) non-compliance.
Local councillor Jess David (Lib Dem, Moorlands) highlighted her concerns about the loss of another family home to an extended HMO property and the impact on parking.
The council says there is a tipping point where the concentration of HMOs begins to adversely impact on the character and balance of a local community.
The threshold is set at 10% or more of households within a 100-metre radius.
In the case of 32 The Oval, planning officers said the proposal would result in 13 HMOs within a 100-metre radius – a concentration of 12.9%.
The officers considered that the rear extensions would be acceptable but not the side dormer which would harm the character and appearance of the area.
They concluded that the proposals would be contrary to supporting a balanced community, would result in an unacceptable loss of accommodation in terms of mix, and the HMO would not be energy-efficient.
