Oxford HMO approved despite fears over city saturation

A two-storey five-bedroom HMO has been approved off the busy A40 London Road in Burlington Crescent in Headington.

Plans for the “high quality shared accommodation” include a refurbished kitchen-dining space and communal lounge.

Oxford City Council approved the plans last month (May 26) despite concerns about the city already being dense with these types of accommodation.

Risinghurst & Sandhills Parish Council objected to the application.

Five-bedroom HMO approved in Headington in Oxford despite density complaints about these types of accommodation in the city (Image: Humzah Khushi BA Architecture)

It raised concerns about the inappropriate location, parking issues and a recently approved HMO neighbouring property being turned into an Air BnB, causing noise and disturbance.

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In the report, the officer acknowledged that the city has a large number of HMOs, with high concentrations in some areas changing the local area, which it says is being actively addressed by the council.

To avoid over-concentration, the council only allows HMOs where no more than 20 per cent of properties within 100 metres of the site are already HMOs.

In Burlington Crescent there are a total of 12 building, one of which is already registered as an HMO, bringing the total to 16.6 per cent.

As the site benefits from a large front driveway for four car parking spaces with a further two spaces to the rear, parking is not deemed an issue.