Controversial plans for a seven-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Twerton have been approved.
Freeview Road in Bath
The plans for 53 Freeview Road, close to Bath City FC’s ground, sparked a catalogue of objections and claims that students are being prioritised over families in the city.
Other concerns raised by the 29 objectors were about parking, noise, rubbish, loss of privacy and HMO density.
Rivers Birtwell, which specialises in accommodation for students and young professionals, submitted the plans for the three-bed semi-detached house which included building a single-storey rear extension, external cladding and bike storage.
Bath & North East Somerset Council planners last week ruled that the size and design of the extension is acceptable and that the plans pass the test of whether a HMO is acceptable.
The proposal would result in three HMOs within a 100-metre radius, equal to a 5.3% concentration, well below the 10% threshold.
The change of use does not ‘sandwich’ a residential property between two HMOs either.
