Plans for a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) in Filton have been refused under new rules to protect neighbourhoods from being swamped by bedsits.
Local councillors have welcomed the decision to refuse the HMO on Fifth Avenue, hailing it the "first success" of new powers to challenge the increasing number of HMOs in Filton.
It comes after South Gloucestershire Council introduced a policy in September limiting how many family homes could be turned into HMOs in the same area.
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Yesterday (February 21) the council concluded that a HMO on Fifth Avenue would exceed the acceptable threshold within the area under its new supplementary planning document (SPD), despite an attempt by Filton Labour councillor Adam Monk to call-in the application to committee.
South Gloucestershire Conservatives say the rising number of HMOs has "raised concerns around anti-social behaviour, parking pressures, waste and recycling management and noise complaints".
Cllr Chris Wood said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have seen our first success in our attempts to stem the tide of HMO applications in Filton which, if left unchecked, will have an irreversible negative impact on our community. I will continue to oppose unnecessary applications that are of no benefit to Filton and look forward to seeing future successes come through.”
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Cllr Steve Reade, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Strategic Infrastructure, added: “Under Conservatives, South Gloucestershire Council has an excellent track record in delivering new housing, exceeding targets year on year with a focus on building thriving communities. As such, I am pleased the Administration’s efforts to control the increasing numbers of HMOs cropping up in certain neighbourhoods across South Gloucestershire is proving effective.
“It is important we are preserving the character of our communities, particularly those who are feeling the strain of the onslaught of HMO applications and so we will continue to take whatever measures are necessary to properly support and maintain growth without compromising what makes them great places to live.”
Meanwhile Cllr Adam Monk says the planning application "did have some local support" and that he remains concerned about the new guidance.
He said: "Ironically this planning application did have some local support due to improvements that were proposed within this specific development.
“That being said, I remain concerned that the new guidance still doesn't address the concerns many residents have about local services such as waste collections and sewage infrastructure being able to cope with a denser urban population than this area was designed for.
“Not only is there a strain on local services, but also many of these HMOs are occupied by students, therefore the Council receives little council tax from a significant proportion of these properties.
“The work to manage this situation is far from done, and I think any back slapping is premature."
It comes as plans to turn 15 Braemar Crescent have also been refused, after an extension of the four-bedroom home was approved last year.
The application was finally refused on the third attempt after a previous South Gloucestershire Council panel failed to reach a decision earlier this month.
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