A fiercely opposed HMO plan has been given the green light by Swindon Borough Council. 

The conversion of a large family home into a student-style shared house of multiple occupation (HMO)  drew significant opposition from neighbours but will be going ahead after getting approval from the local authority. 

Developer Mr J. Blake of  BOC Property Ltd first submitted his plan in 2023 revealing he wanted to convert 1 the High Street in Haydon Wick, which has five bedrooms- and a self-contained two-bed flat attached into a nine-bed HMO.

After more than 20 objections were sent into Swindon Borough council’s planning department by neighbours in both High Street and The Brow, Mr Blake revised his plans.

But there were again more than 20 objections, mostly concerning traffic, road congestion and parking issues, although some objected to the Jack and Jill bathrooms.

One of those concerned by that was Councillor Stanka Adamcova who asked that the matter be called in for discussion and decision by the council’s planning committee.

A third revision removed that feature and also reconfigured the vehicle area at the front of the house to be one-way, with separate entrance and exit.

The planning committee gave its consent to the plans.