Plans submitted for eight-bed HMO as council looks to tighten rules

After planning permission to convert a three-bed family home in Odd Down into a five-bed house in multiple occupation was approved over the summer, there are now plans to turn that property into an eight-bed HMO.

The property in Cranmore Place

Odd Down ward councillors Steve Hedges and Joel Hirst raised concerns when the initial HMO application for 76 Cranmore Place was submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council.

They flagged up, as they have previously, that the city is “incrementally pricing families out of areas like Odd Down”, driven by factors including unsustainable growth in student numbers at the two universities without growth in purpose-built student housing on campus to meet demand.

Under new rules proposed in Bath & North East Somerset Council’s draft Local Plan – which goes before the cabinet on Thursday 10th September – the change of use of three-bed family homes would be refused in the future in three city wards – Odd Down, Twerton and Southdown.

Council monitoring shows that three-bed homes have historically formed a “significant proportion” of permitted HMO conversions, and a “significant proportion” of three-bed conversions have historically occurred in parts of Bath where market housing is relatively more affordable.

The criterion change would help keep three-bed properties out of the hands of developers by retaining them for families.

Ren Living Ltd is behind the scheme for the three-bed semi-detached house at Cranmore Place where the principle of conversion to a HMO for five occupants was established in June, involving internal reconfiguration, new windows at the rear and storage for refuse and bikes.

The latest application to upgrade the property to an eight-bed HMO involves adding a single-storey rear extension, alterations to the existing linked side element and changes to windows.

The application says the new proposal builds upon the permission granted, with additional floorspace and “substantially increased communal accommodation”.

The previously approved five-bed HMO provided secure storage for four bicycles and retained the property’s existing one off-street parking space.

The new proposal increases storage provision to six bicycles and increases parking to three spaces.

The application highlights that the eight-bed HMO has been designed to “safeguard the amenity of neighbouring occupiers”.

The planning reference is 26/03164/FUL and any comments must be received by the council before 17th September.

There are also currently plans to convert a two-bed mid-terraced house in Odd Down into HMO accommodation.

Exeter-based 18-25 Properties is behind the scheme for 7 Frome Road. The application refers to a proposed five-bed HMO but the reconfigured floor plans show four bedrooms.

A bin storage facility is proposed at the front of the house and five cycle spaces in a shed at the rear of the property.

The planning reference is 26/03188/FUL. The last date for any comments is 17th September.