A property investment company is appealing to the Secretary of State after councillors refused plans to turn a three-bed home in Twerton into a six-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO).
The property on Shaws Way in Twerton
Originally, a conversion to a seven-bed HMO was being planned for 30 Shaws Way but the size of the proposed single-storey rear extension at the semi-detached house was reduced to a home for six sharers.
However, in September Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee unanimously rejected Rivers Birtwell’s plans – against the advice of their officers.
The decision came just days after the council called for tougher powers to stop “family homes” being turned into HMOs.
The council is proposing a new policy to ban turning three-bedroom homes into HMOs where they could otherwise be suitable for families and first-time buyers – but this is not yet in force.
A resident who has lived next door to 30 Shaws Way for four decades told the committee that “greedy people are coming in, snapping up these places, making extreme profits”.
The properties in Shaws Way are made of metal frames and wire mesh. The plans for No. 30 involve soundproofing, but councillors felt this would not be adequate and rejected the proposed HMO on the grounds of overdevelopment and loss of amenity to neighbours.
In its appeal statement, Rivers Birtwell says the scheme includes enhanced soundproofing, soft closers on all doors and a sound-deadening underlay, and the proposals were considered by council officers to meet all relevant requirements within adopted planning policies and guidance.
