Bridgwater is grappling with a surge in Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs), prompting its Conservative MP, Sir Ashley Fox, to urge the government to grant Somerset Council enhanced authority to manage this growing issue. HMOs, commonly consisting of several individual bedrooms and bathrooms with shared kitchens and living areas, often strain local infrastructure due to limited parking and increased density.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Sir Ashley Fox, who has served as Bridgwater’s MP since 2024, highlighted the council’s limited ability to regulate the proliferation of HMOs. “Bridgwater has seen an increasing number of HMOs, which leads to severe parking congestion and alters the character of our neighborhoods,” he asserted. “Local authorities must have more power to restrict HMO numbers and require permission for even smaller HMOs housing fewer than five people.”
This rise in HMOs coincides with major construction projects in the region, including the development of Hinkley Point C and a new gigafactory between Puriton and Woolavington. These projects have attracted a large workforce—expected to peak at around 12,000—creating heightened demand for short-term rental accommodations.
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The council recently approved expanding an HMO at 37 North Street and is contesting an appeal involving a similar property on Taunton Road. Sir Ashley emphasized the need to balance housing demand with preserving community character: “While the influx of workers creates a legitimate housing need, the economic pressures are reshaping parts of Bridgwater in challenging ways.”
Responding during the debate, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook noted that local councils already possess tools like the Article 4 direction, which can restrict developments such as HMOs by removing permitted development rights. He encouraged Somerset Council to utilize these existing powers fully. “If local authorities are unable or unwilling to act, we need to explore what additional support or resources are necessary,” he added.
Somerset Council aims to deliver over 500 new council homes by 2030, primarily along the M5 corridor, to alleviate housing pressures. Sir Ashley also highlighted the shortage of social housing as a key driver for HMO growth and inquired about the success of a government register designed to connect housing associations with developers holding unsold affordable homes. Minister Pennycook confirmed the register helped facilitate transactions for over 4,000 units and reassured that ongoing government support is enhancing the ability of housing providers to purchase and advance stalled projects.
The debate underscores the complexities Bridgwater faces amid rapid development and the urgent need for effective housing policies that address both supply and community wellbeing.