New restrictions to make it harder to turn family homes in north Bristol into bedsits are set to be introduced. South Gloucestershire Council is expected to approve proposals that would require landlords in Filton and in Stoke Park and Cheswick to apply for planning permission to convert properties into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) that would not usually need consent.
It follows overwhelming support from 93 per cent in a public consultation to the introduction of measures called Article 4 directions (A4D) amid a huge rise in concerns about neighbourhoods becoming overrun with shared homes and the loss of communities, along with antisocial behaviour, parking, litter and noise complaints. The move is the latest effort by the council to tackle the problem after it adopted new local planning rules last September which set limits on concentrations of HMOs, although the impact has been mixed because it only takes into account registered bedsits.
While some of the “constant barrage” of applications have been refused under the policy, others have been granted controversially where residents have insisted there are more HMOs in the area than the council’s official figures, such as those which do not require a licence. The new restrictions aim to plug this loophole by withdrawing permitted development rights for small HMOs so that they would need consent after being considered against planning policy and the effect they would have on the local community.
Read more: Fury as Filton residents denied chance to oppose HMO plans at committee
Filton Town Council backed the proposed A4D but asked for it to cover a slightly bigger area including Kenmore Crescent and Kenmore Grove saying this was an oversight, a request officers declined after reviewing the evidence. Organisations representing landlords opposed the measures.
Both the Conservative administration and the opposition Labour group have claimed credit for the stricter rules. Tory cabinet member for regeneration, environment and strategic infrastructure Cllr Steve Reade, who is taking the decision, said: “It is fantastic to see residents of Filton and Stoke Park and Cheswick are so supportive of our plans to introduce Article 4 directions which will form a strong part of our ability in the new Local Plan to protect communities from being overrun by HMOs.
“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, and I am pleased we are set to take action to control the increasing numbers of applications which are having a detrimental impact on the character and wellbeing of communities.” Labour Cllr Adam Monk, whose Filton ward has become a battleground against new bedsits and who has spoken at planning committee on behalf of neighbours against several applications, said: “During my time as a councillor I’ve spoken to countless residents who are really concerned about the spread of HMOs and things like parking, waste disposal and the living conditions inside them.
“We need some HMOs, but they shouldn’t negatively affect the area, and need to be good quality inside. From January 2021 to July this year I chaired a task and finish group looking at what can be done to regulate HMOs more effectively, and we recommended the council adopts the Article 4 framework – something Bristol City Council has been using for a long time now.
“I’m adamant that if I and other councillors hadn’t initially spearheaded this in the first place, change wouldn’t be happening now. We warmly welcome moves to adopt Article 4, but we want people to be clear whose idea it was to do so.”
Filton ward Conservative Cllr Chris Wood said: “Having campaigned for South Gloucestershire Council to take a tougher stance on the constant barrage of HMO applications, I am delighted that Filton residents have backed our plans and look forward to seeing them come into effect soon. We have had to put up with more and more successful applications that have a negative impact in our neighbourhoods for far too long and this is another string in the council’s bow which will help to stem the tide.”
Read next:
The north Bristol road where residents are fighting an invasion of bedsits
Councillors reject Filton HMO despite warnings of costly appeal
The Bristol area where HMOs are making life 'intolerable'
POLITICS: To keep up to date with latest Bristol politics news, and discuss thoughts with other residents, join our Bristol politics news and discussion here. You can also sign up to our politics newsletter here .
Click here for the latest headlines from in and around Bristol.
