Ridgeway House, 1A Hagbourne Road, Didcot, OX11 8DP

the change of use of the existing office to a large (Sui Generis) House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) with the addition of a rear dormer

Authority: South Oxfordshire District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Change of use
Inspector: Sargent J

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the external amenity area would be of sufficient size to provide reasonable living conditions for the scheme's residents

What decided it

The combination of the site's constrained urban location, the fallback position of a prior approval for a residential dwelling using the same garden area, and the nature of HMO occupation with communal facilities and proximity to town centre amenities meant the 32sqm garden area would provide reasonable living conditions despite falling short of the Design Guide standard.

Plan policies cited: Policy DES5

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