A terraced house on one of Yeovil’s busiest streets will become a house of multiple occupation (HMO) following the unanimous backing of local councillors.

Max Rowswell applied in October 2023 to convert the existing three-storey property at 196 Sherborne Road (a.k.a. the A30) into a six-bedroom HMO.

The property is in close proximity to two other HMOs on the same street, which are operated by other licence holders.

Somerset Council’s planning committee south (which decides major applications within the former South Somerset area) voted unanimously to back the conversion of this property when it convened in Yeovil on Tuesday afternoon (January 9).

Under the proposals, the four-bedroom property will be internally reorganised, with four large en suite rooms across the ground and first floors and a further two rooms on the second flood.

All rooms would meet central government spacial standards for HMOs, with residents sharing a kitchen, bathroom and living room area.

The site lies within walking distance of the Aldi supermarket and other town centre shops, as well as within easy reach of the Yeovil Country Park, Yeovil Pen Mill railway station and Pen Mill Infant & Nursery Academy.

HMOs have become a popular trend in recent years in light of the housing crisis, with Bridgwater seeing a particular increase as a result of the influx of workers employed at the Hinkley Point C construction site.

Councillor Tony Lock – whose Yeovil East division includes the site – spoke in favour of the plans when the committee met in Yeovil on Tuesday (January 9), arguing that concerns about additional traffic and the lack of nearby car parking were unfounded.

He said: “I’ve lived in the area and represented this area for many, many years.

“All the town council’s concerns about parking, access and unsuitable traffic represent no change from what we have now. The only change is an additional person will be living in that house.

“The house will be brought up to an acceptable living standard for the tenants.

“This is going to regularise [the situation for] tenants who are probably less fortunate than some of us.”

The committee voted to approve the plans after less than 20 minutes’ debate.