Bridgwater Town Council has reiterated its growing concern over the increasing number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the town, following consideration of a new planning application at a recent Planning Committee meeting. The application, submitted to Somerset Council, proposed converting 127 Bristol Road from an existing six-bedroom HMO into an eight-bedroom property. Somerset Council notifies Bridgwater Town Council of all planning applications within the parish boundary, with the Town Council acting as a non-statutory consultee. While the Town Council reviews applications and submits comments reflecting local concerns, the final decision lies with Somerset Council’s Area North Planning Committee. After reviewing the proposal, Bridgwater Town Council’s Planning Committee objected to the application, citing concerns about overdevelopment and pressures on local infrastructure.

From Westover

Chair of the Planning Committee, Cllr Tim Mander (Labour Westover) said, “The Committee is becoming increasingly concerned about the growing number and concentration of HMOs across Bridgwater. Current planning rules allow properties to be converted into HMOs of up to six bedrooms without requiring planning permission, meaning we are only able to formally comment on larger schemes of seven or more occupants.

“In this case, a previous application for a nine-bedroom HMO at this property was refused. Despite the reduction in scale, the Committee remained firmly of the view that an eight-bedroom HMO still represents overdevelopment of the site.

The cumulative impact of these developments is a real concern for the sustainability and character of our residential areas.”

To Eastover

The concerns raised by the Committee were supported by the Eastover ward councillor, Cllr Jaqui Solomon (Labour Eastover) who highlighted significant issues being experienced by residents, particularly regarding parking pressures around Quantock Terrace.

Jacqui said “Increasing the number of occupants at this property would inevitably add to these pressures and further impact the quality of life for local people. Bridgwater Town Council has consistently raised concerns about the rising number of HMOs in the town and the cumulative effect they can have on communities, including increased demand for parking, pressure on local services and changes to neighbourhood character. While HMOs can play an important role in meeting housing need, councillors have emphasised the importance of ensuring that their location, scale and concentration are carefully managed.”

The Town Council continues to call for a more strategic and balanced approach to HMO development, ensuring that the needs of residents and communities are properly considered alongside housing provision. Following the Planning Committee’s discussion, Bridgwater Town Council has formally submitted its objection to the application.

County’s Final Decision

The final decision will now be made by Somerset Council, which has responsibility for determining planning applications across the area.

On Somerset Council the 4 former districts are now regarded as the area planning sections. the former Sedgemoor is now Somerset North. 3 Labour councillors are on this panel . Cllr Brian Smedley (Labour,Bridgwater South) says “When the Town Council objects to a planning decision it comes to us to decide. However, we have the same situation as we had historically in that the fate of Bridgwater is simply not in the hands of our own councillors but in the hands of the majority not from Bridgwater. This means we have to make the case over and over again. Last month we had a great victory when we prevented a HMO in Hamp but this week we failed to prevent one in North Street, but by just 6 votes to 4. Each application has to be judged on it’s own merit and we mustn’t be predetermined therefore none of the councillors on the County planning committee is allowed to be on the Town Planning panels. People criticise planning committees saying ‘how did they let that happen!’ but the odd thing about planning is…well, there’s no ‘planning’…”

Cllr Mander concluded “Bridgwater Town Council will continue to represent the views and concerns of local residents as part of the planning process and advocate for sustainable development that supports the long-term wellbeing of the town.”