A proposal to convert a house containing offices into a student-style shared house of multiple occupation is recommended for approval by members of Swindon Borough Council’s planning committee this week.

But that outcome would upset more than two dozen neighbours, the parish council and at least one ward councillor.

Developer Andrew Whiting has applied to convert 39 Bath Road in Old Town into an HMO with nine bedrooms and for nine occupants.

His plans show that the lower ground floor would have a kitchen, a shower room and two bedrooms.

The ground floor would have another kitchen and communal area, more common space and one bedroom as well as a toilet and shower.

Three bedrooms, one with an ensuite shower, would be on the first floor with another shower room and the second floor would be laid out in a similar fashion.

The rear garden of what was a house, was converted to six parking space for the offices and Mr Whiting’s plans show these would be kept.

The planning officers’ report to members of the committee recommends they approve the scheme and says: ”The proposed conversion of the property to a nine person, nine bedrooms HMO represents a development which would not harm the character of the host property, street scene and the conservation area or cause unacceptable harm to the amenity of neighbouring properties.

“The scheme meets the space standards for HMOs and would provide an acceptable standard of living for the future occupiers.”

But the plan is on the agenda because it was ‘called in' by Old Town ward councillor Nadine Watts.

She said: “I am concerned that the change would have a detrimental effect on the Old Town area. There are already a lot of HMOs in the area. I have concerns regarding the increase in traffic to access the parking at the back, in particular, the narrow access road going past the houses called The Shearings.”

South Swindon Parish Council also objected on similar grounds and added: “The committee is concerned the density threshold for HMOs in Bath Road Area has been exceeded.”

There were also 28 letters of objection sent in, mainly focussing on the impact on the area, including the difficulty in collecting rubbish from The Shearings, and the increase in waste created by an HMO.

One letter said that residents in HMOs tend to be more transient in nature and care less for the surrounding area.

The meeting will start at 6pm on Tuesday, March 12 and members of the public are entitled to attend.