DLP Planning Ltd have successfully overturned the decision of South Gloucestershire Council and secured planning permission for additional bedrooms within two separate Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the Stoke Gifford area of South Gloucestershire on behalf of Groves Park Ltd and CS Properties Ltd.

Towards the end of 2015 planning applications were submitted to increase the number of bedrooms within the two student properties. Both received the support of the Council’s Highways officer and case officer recommendation for approval. However, they were called in by the Planning Committee and subsequently refused, with the Committee citing parking concerns as their reason for refusal in both cases. In addition, the Committee also provided a second reason for refusal for one of the applications on the basis that they believed the means of access to the proposed cycle store in the rear garden of the property to be inadequate.

DLP then appealed both decisions in February 2016. Based on the parking survey information that had been submitted during the original applications, the Inspector was able to conclude that neither proposal would have a significant impact upon the parking situation in the area. Where the Committee had raised concerns over the suitability of the pathway to the proposed cycle storage at one of the HMOs, the Inspector determined that said path would not impede any cyclist.

The Inspector therefore determined that both appeals should be allowed, subject to conditions. Costs were also awarded to the appellant for one of the appeals, with the Inspector concluding that the Council had acted unreasonably.