Swindon Council Approves HMO Conversion Despite Community Concerns
Swindon Borough Council planning officers have approved developer Ideal Urban Ltd’s controversial proposal to convert Fir Tree Lodge guest house into a 12-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The decision comes just weeks after officials rejected an almost identical scheme for the Highworth Road property.
Revised Plan Secures Approval
The initial rejection stemmed from Ideal Urban’s proposal to use a separate outbuilding as an independent apartment alongside an 11-bedroom HMO. Planning officers deemed this configuration unacceptable under local housing policies. The developer’s successful revised application incorporated the detached structure as the 12th bedroom within the main HMO, describing it as “an integral part” of the unified living space.
Developer’s Sustainability Argument
Ideal Urban’s application emphasized the project’s alignment with planning principles: “The proposal represents the sustainable re-use of an existing building within a mixed-use and highly accessible location.” The developer contended the conversion would reduce intensity from the property’s previous 14-guest capacity while meeting “adopted standards for space, parking, cycling and waste provision.”
Community Opposition Ignored
The approval was granted despite formal objections from Stratton St Margaret Parish Council and 10 local residents. The parish council raised multiple safety and comfort concerns:
“Members believe this is over development, kitchen too small, living room too small, no fire escape on the top floor. The top floor ceiling height is too low making two-thirds of the room inhabitable.”
Parking emerged as residents’ primary concern. One neighbor noted: “Twelve bedrooms lead to an expected minimum occupancy of 12 adults and therefore potentially 12 vehicles or more. However, there is only provision for six parking spaces. Where will everyone park?” Another questioned the reduction from the existing 13 spaces.
Council’s Rationale for Approval
Planning officers concluded the HMO conversion wouldn’t harm the area’s character or neighbors’ quality of life. Their decision statement explained: “The scheme meets the space standards for HMOs and would provide an acceptable standard of living for the future occupiers,” explicitly citing compliance with the government’s nationally described space standard for residential properties.
The conversion permits the developer to proceed despite community objections, reflecting ongoing tensions between housing density targets and neighborhood preservation in Swindon’s development landscape.
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