A planning inspector has criticised South Gloucestershire Council for “unreasonable behaviour” as he overturned its decision to refuse eight bedsits in Filton. The government-appointed expert upheld a developer’s appeal to convert a family home at 15 Braemar Crescent into a large house in multiple occupation (HMO), and awarded costs – a ruling one councillor has called “pretty grim reading”.
In response the local authority says it is disappointed with but accepts the decision and is introducing measures called an Article 4 Direction which will limit some landlords’ freedom to divide properties into shared accommodation. Spatial planning committee members had narrowly rejected the application by Samuel Padbury, who runs Kasa Real Estate, in February on the grounds that it would adversely affect the area’s housing mix and community balance because of an overconcentration of student digs.
But the inspector, Jonathan Edwards, decided that the council had failed to show there were already too many HMOs nearby, had cited “inconsistent information” and had not explained why it thought the proposal would harm the neighbourhood’s character and appearance. Mr Edwards’ ruling said: “I conclude the council’s appeal submissions fail to meaningfully explain or justify its objections to the scheme.
