Plans to change the use of a three-bed property in Southdown to a six-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) are being recommended for approval.
The application by Forest Edge Properties for 6 Southdown Avenue was revised to remove initially proposed extensions, which are now limited to the conversion of the garage into a room by removing the door and adding a window.
A window is also proposed at the rear of the garage.
A Bath & North East Somerset Council planning officer has described the alterations as “minimal” and says the change of use plans are policy compliant.
But following a request by ward councillor Dine Romero, the application has been referred to the chair and vice chair of the planning committee.
They both said the application warrants further scrutiny, so the decision will fall to the committee, rather than being delegated to the planning officer.
Committee chair Councillor Tim Ball said: “My primary concern is not related to the HMO element but rather the impact on the neighbouring property, particularly the proximity of the garage to No. 8.”
The council has received eight objections to the proposed HMO, with concerns including the impact on parking; additional noise and rubbish; that too many family homes are being taken up by students; and local services are overstretched.
There were also complaints that neighbours were not notified of the proposals.
According to council records, there are 122 residential properties within a 100-metre radius. Nine are currently HMOs, resulting in a concentration of 6.7%. The change of use of No. 6 would increase this to 8.1%, below the 10% threshold.
The proposal will not result in ‘sandwiching’ between other HMO-certified properties.
Two off-street parking spaces and space for at least four bikes are proposed. The property currently has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, but additional roof insulation is proposed to improve the rating to the required C.
Next Wednesday’s planning committee meeting at the Guildhall in Bath starts at 10am and will be webcast.
