Issue - meetings

The Forum is requested to consider the issue and identify actions and recommendations

Background information- links to

Report to Planning, Housing and Economic Development Policy Development & Scrutiny Panel

Data on students in Bath

Bath Chronicle report

Follow up Bath Chronicle report

Draft Placemaking Plan

Historic and Future Student Numbers and Accommodation Requirements in Bath

A presentation on the Placemaking Plan was given by Simon De Beer, Policy & Environment Manager. Following the presentation the Forum were invited to put questions, as below

Question 1 – Cllr Goodman - How are HMOs managed through the Article 4 direction?

Response - The Council sets out thresholds in the specific area and when HMO concentration rises above this permitted development rights are lifted for HMOs and planning permission must be sought.

Question 2 - Cllr Rayment asked what further restrictions can we expect to see on HMOs in Bath?

Response - There is an understanding of where there is high HMO concentration in Bath; the Council will work to prevent HMO’s in areas that have a high concentration.

Question 3 - Robin Kerr - Why does B&NES Council not look to have a stand-alone Student Accommodation Policy? There are clear examples of other authorities such as Leeds and Loughborough where plans are working and other examples where no planning has allowed greater problems with student numbers.

Response - The Council is open to an improved approach and it is suggested that this be submitted as part of the consultation.

Question 4 - Jeremy Boss - What powers does the Local Authority have over the numbers for

student HMOs: is it just the Placemaking Plan?

Response - Planning permission powers exist where there is high saturation.

Question 5 - Cllr Patterson - Is new student accommodation following what we would expect to see in design standards and principles?

Response - The Core Strategy and The Placemaking Plan cover the agreed standards.

Question 6 - Rosie Phillips - Is there any information about the impact on equality for the groups that the HMO restrictions capture? It appears that this would impact on the poorest in society disproportionately

Response - In areas where saturation reaches 25% a judgement has to be made weather to make restrictions, although refusal for HMOs is not an automatic default position. Where we have licensing in place we should see better standards being achieved.

Question 7 - Caroline Kay - What agreements have been sought with the Universities? A “standoff” with them is an uncomfortable position.

Response - Engagement with the Universities is the preferred position, and we need to evidence any changes that are agreed and open up new conversations to find solutions

Question 8 - Cllr McGall – The Article 4 direction does not appear to be working. There has recently been a HMO that was given planning permission to expand from 4 to 6 in an area where HMO concentration is at 47%. Where concentration levels increase we are missing the point of achieving what Article 4 sets out, in building mixed and balanced communities.

Response – Simon de Beer suggested that this individual application would best discussed separately as he did not have full specific details of it to hand.

Question 9 - Cllr Player - There are plenty of examples in Bath where students have to put up with low  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4