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In recent years, Bridgwater has seen the creation of large numbers of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs), which comprise bedsit flats with shared communal areas such as the kitchen, bathroom and lounge.
The HMOs have become widespread in the town in response to the ongoing housing crisis and the demand for short-term accommodation during the construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.
Nigel Guppy put forward plans in January for a new 30-bed HMO on Friarn Street, next to the town’s Royal Mail delivery office, and Somerset Council have now given the plans the green light despite objections.
Bridgwater Town Council leader Brian Smedley – who also represents the Bridgwater South division on Somerset Council – said that building to such a degree on this site would put residents at increased risk of flooding from the nearby Durleigh Brook (which joins the River Parrett near the town’s library).
“This site shouldn’t be built on at all,” he said. “Building on or over the former moats and ditches of the town is a bad idea, and the line along the north wall which includes the former Splash leisure centre, the former tax office and the building we’re sitting in [Bridgwater House] all suffered structural faults because of this.”
Councillor Alastair Hendry (Highbridge and Burnham South) disagreed, stating: “In a HMO like this, which is a stone’s throw from the town centre, you usually find that not everybody who lives there owns a car. Everybody always finds a parking bay somewhere, so that argument doesn’t hold up for me.”
The site lies to the rear of Ivy House, and already has permission in place for 13 dwellings.
The HMO will be arranged in a T-shaped block with three communal spaces, with 15 car parking spaces being provided on site.
Friarn Street has seen relatively high levels of interest from housing developments in recent years, with plans for 43 flats being approved in December 2021 and a proposal for a 16-bed HMO being approved in March 2024.
After around an hour’s debate, the committee voted to approve the plans by seven votes to three.
“This is exactly why it was a good day when Sedgemoor District Council disappeared – out-of-town councillors would constantly vote in favour of over-development in Bridgwater,” said Cllr Smedley. “Once again here’s something we don’t want in our town yet we’ve got to have it.”
