Councillors have again bucked officers’ advice and rejected plans for a large shared house in a Filton neighbourhood already swamped by bedsits – despite warnings of another costly appeal.
Developer Sam Andrews, who last year successfully persuaded planning inspectors to overturn the committee’s decisions to refuse permission for three houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) just quarter of a mile down the road and to award him “thousands and thousands” in costs, told members he would be appealing once more.
Officers recommended approving Mr Andrews’ latest application, to turn an existing small HMO for three to six people at 18 Braemar Avenue into seven bedsits. But South Gloucestershire Council development management committee voted 5-4 to reject it because of the “harmful impact” on residents’ amenity and inadequate parking.
