A proposal to transform a four-bedroom terraced property into a six-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation has received council approval.

Oxford City Council’s planning committee reviewed minor alterations to a previously approved scheme for the residence located on Steep Rise in the northeast of Oxford.

The earlier consent, granted on Thursday, October 24, authorized the removal of a side structure and the erection of a two-storey side addition along with a rear extension spanning part single and part two storeys.

Through the current part-retrospective application, the dwelling has now been confirmed as a six-bedroom HMO.

Several modifications have already been carried out at the site, comprising four newly installed windows, modifications to the flat roof and the provision of bin and bicycle storage facilities.

The completed arrangement will feature six en-suite bedrooms measuring a minimum of 8.5 square metres each, a 24.6 square metre kitchen-dining area, additional shared living space and a utility space adjacent to the kitchen.

The application was referred to committee by six councillors due to concerns regarding the concentration of HMOs in the neighbourhood and whether communal cooking amenities would be sufficient.

Planning officers stated that “the development would make the best and most efficient use of the site”, describing it as a “high quality and sustainable development”.

Oxford’s Local Plan restricts HMO concentrations to no more than 20 per cent of properties within 100 metres of any application site.

Officers confirmed that just one of the 24 neighbouring properties is currently registered as an HMO, meaning that following this approval, approximately 8.3 per cent of homes in the immediate vicinity will be in shared occupancy.