Plans to expand a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) at 41 Taunton Road, one of Bridgwater’s busiest streets, may still proceed after an appeal was lodged following a refusal by Somerset Council.
EDJ Investments submitted an application in December 2025 to increase the number of bedrooms in the existing HMO from six to eight. However, the council rejected the proposal in early February, citing concerns over resident quality of life and negative impacts on the neighbouring community.
The developer has since appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, which is expected to make a decision later this year. The A38 Taunton Road serves as a heavily congested key route connecting Bridgwater town centre with junction 24 of the M5 motorway.
READ MORE: Midsomer Norton Stabbing: Victim Hospitalized as Man and Teen Arrested
READ MORE: Bridgwater Health and Care Academy Opening Delayed Until Spring 2028
Currently, the HMO features six bedrooms across two floors, with communal kitchen, dining, and seating areas on the ground floor. The proposed expansion would add two bedrooms at the top level, each equipped with its own en-suite bathroom.
Glynn Deakin of GD Designs, representing EDJ Investments, said, “The internal refurbishment will create a pleasant living environment for residents, with each room having an en-suite shower. The applicant has demonstrated a clear demand for this type of housing in the area and already manages several fully occupied nearby properties.”
As part of the application, the rear garden—which has vehicular access—would be converted to provide nine parking spaces and secure cycle storage. Given the property’s proximity to local amenities, it is anticipated most residents will not require cars.
The council’s refusal came under delegated powers by planning officers rather than the major applications committee. Then-chief planning officer Alison Blom-Cooper explained that the bedroom arrangement adjacent to communal areas would result in substandard amenity for future occupants. Additionally, the increased occupancy was expected to generate noise and disturbance detrimental to neighbouring homes.
The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed the appeal will be decided via written representations, without an in-person hearing. To submit comments, stakeholders can visit the official website and reference appeal number 6008553 by June 3.
A previous appeal to increase the bedroom count to nine at this property was dismissed in October 2025. Nearby, a similar HMO expansion proposal on Rhode Lane was also rejected in April. Meanwhile, a decision is pending on plans to develop nine homes at the former Three Crowns public house on St. Mary Street, located close to the Taunton Road site.