Bridgwater councillors tried but failed to prevent yet another HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) being given planning permission in the town centre, this time for 30 beds and in a historic conservation area. Bridgwater Town Council’s Planning Panel had already objected to the proposal to turn the grounds of Friarn Street’s Ivy House into a mass residential site for new build and so it went to the Somerset Planning Committee North (the former Sedgemoor area) for a decision. Committee Chair Cllr Kathy Pearce removed herself from the committee for the item to speak against the proposal and fellow Westover Councillor and Town Council Leader Brian Smedley, led the debate within the committee proposing rejection on the grounds of  increased traffic generation and effect on the Historical built environment, including references to overdevelopment and flood risk. He was seconded by Tory Bridgwater Councillor Lance Duddridge (Bridgwater West) but when it came to the vote the objection was voted down 7-3 by out of town Tories and Libdems. Cllr Smedley said afterwards “It’s as if Sedgemoor’s ghost is still with us…”

‘No More HMOs!’

The proposal to build a 30 bed HMO on the muddy slopes of Durleigh Brook to the south of congested Friarn Street, within the conservation area, was objected to by all Bridgwater councillors at the planning meeting. Cllr Brian Smedley said “This area was the south wall of the Bridgwater town fortifications and will contain medieval structures including bastions from the civil war and earlier defences. It was at this point of the town that Cromwell’s army in 1645 shelled the town from Hamp Hill. There at least needs to be an archaeological watching brief as part of the conditions here. However, this site shouldn’t be built on at all. It’s on the banks of Durleigh Brook which regularly backs up from the nearby river and floods Blake Gardens. 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, the former tax office and the building we’re sitting in (Bridgwater house) all suffered structural faults because of this. Furthermore Friarn Street is recognized as an area of overparking, that’s why we had a 4 year campaign to put in a residents parking zone. So Somerset clearly recognizes this. Being alongside the sorting office, where people regularly temporarily park makes this an obvious issue of increased traffic generation . “

‘On Flimsy Ground’

Council officers defended their proposal. Gary Collins (interim area manager) said “We are on flimsy grounds with the historical argument, flood zone 1 is low risk and HMO’s are here to stay”

Cllr Smedley replied “HMO’s are here to stay, unlike the residents who are being forced out by them as they totally change the character of an area! If flood zone 1 is low risk then I suggest members go to visit Blake gardens when the brook overflows and turns it into a lake.”

Members had to be then shown on a map where Blake gardens was.

Cllr Smedley argued that  the historical argument is NOT flimsy and read out a statement from Chair of Bridgwater Heritage Group, Miles Kerr-Peterson,  which clearly defined the area in question as of important historical interest and warned of the dangers of repeating the Sion Chapel planning permission mistake further up Friarn street where ancestral graves were dug up and parts of medieval structures uncovered, before having flats built on top of them.

Sedgemoor Bites Back

The Committee voted 7-3 to approve the planning permission with the 7 out of town Conservatives and Lib Dems voting for and the 3 Bridgwater Councillors voting against.

Cllr Smedley said after the meeting “This is exactly why it was a good day when Sedgemoor disappeared. Out-of-town councillors would constantly vote in favour of overdevelopment in Bridgwater. Once again here’s something we don’t want in our town yet we’ve got to have it.”

Chair’s Speech in Full

Chair of the Somerset North Planning Committee, Cllr Kathy Pearce, stood down from the chair in order to speak against the proposal. Her speech in full is here

“ I am speaking today due to strong concerns regarding over many aspects of this application. Friarn Street is a densely built, one way street, narrow in places, with important Listed Buildings.  Because of parking problems in the past, a Residents Parking Scheme has been in place for some years, which has been successful but is currently under stress.  Residents living in this street state that the increasing number of existing HMOs is already causing a problem in terms of parking.  I believe this additional HMO will exacerbate problems on a street already under pressure.

“I am concerned that the Travel Plan states there is only a 3 month monitoring period by Somerset Council and thereafter will only be monitored by an absent landlord in Bristol.  What happens after that? The Highways Officer report states that “the application includes 15 parking spaces, half the provision to meet the Somerset Parking Standards of 30 spaces, ie 1 space her bedroom for dwellings in Bridgwater”.  If there is no specific guidance on HMOs, why do we accept lower provision?”

“Members please note Objections from the Environment Agency and Conservation Officer on the report The former Heritage Officer also commented within the application papers “The proposal will remove the setting to the non-designated heritage asset with a degree of harm-substantial harm- due to the loss of setting”.  The design of the development are less than inspiring, especially in terms of the historic setting.

The EA comments regarding flood risk from the Durleigh Brook are important and should be heeded. Drainage statements within the papers seem to work on assumptions rather than fact. The report says “Although not proven, it is reasonable to assume that these two road gullies connect into the Durleigh Brook.  Therefore, it can be assumed that there is already a connection of surface water into the Durleigh Brook”.  Assumption is not good enough and does not inspire confidence.

Members also need to be aware that this development will sit directly to the north of the Avalon Nursing Home.  This is a residential home for those suffering with dementia and other mental health related conditions.  Given the flood concerns raised above.  Avalon sits directly south and alongside the Durleigh Brook. 

In conclusion, I believe that this application exceeds the tipping point on this site into over-development, especially in terms of impact on highways.  I also have significant concerns over the flood risk and believe the design does not respect the historical setting of the site.”