New restrictions to make it harder to turn family homes north of Bristol into bedsits look set to be introduced by the end of the year. South Gloucestershire Council has launched a final round of consultation on plans that would require landlords in parts of Filton to apply for planning permission to convert properties into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) that would not usually need consent.
The council recently confirmed an Article 4 Direction which covers two areas: the Stoke Park and Cheswick wards, and Filton ward to the east of Southmead Road and Gloucestershire Road North. It followed 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.
These areas already have a significant concentration of HMOs, which are used by students as well as those working nearby at some of the region’s major employers. However, some residents have expressed concerns that an uncontrolled further increase in HMOs could significantly change the nature of the community and put more pressure on local roads and other infrastructure.
Read more: Two-up-two-down terraced home being turned into 7 bed HMO is 'appalling'
Following an earlier consultation on the plans, the council is now asking for further comments on the proposed changes to planning rules, which will prevent homeowners and landlords from turning existing residential homes in these areas into HMOs without planning permission. The direction will enable the council to limit the growth of HMOs through the planning system.
This would not mean that HMOs within the areas are unacceptable, rather that it would enable consideration of the proposed development against the council’s planning policy.
Councillor Steve Reade, cabinet member responsible for planning at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We are introducing this direction to help improve our neighbourhoods and give the council more control over the way our communities grow and change.
“We are not proposing to stop the creation of all new HMOs in these areas as we understand they can play an important role in providing affordable homes for many people in South Gloucestershire and we see them as continuing to do so. However, this direction will introduce measures that will allow the council to assess any and all future proposals to create this form of accommodation and identify their potential impact on the surrounding community before a decision is taken to allow them to go ahead.”
The direction was made on August 26, 2022 and will come into force on December 30, 2022. Ahead of making the direction, a six week consultation took place in February and March 2022. The decision is now subject to a further 21 days of consultation, and interested parties are encouraged to have their say by Friday, October 21.
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'
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