HMO given go ahead 10 years after building converted

The building has been used as a HMO since 2014 despite the conversion from a dental surgery being refused twice when applications were made in 2013

The conversion of a former dentist surgery into a seven-bedroom shared house of multiple occupation (HMO) has been given the go-ahead, 10 years after it took place.

Real estate company SCH UK Ltd, based in Royal Wootton Bassett, converted the building in Tryon Close, in Liden, Swindon, in 2014, without having the permission it needed.

The company had revised its original proposal for eight-bedrooms to seven, which was approved by Swindon Borough Council, despite concerns over the provision of only four parking spaces.

Councillor Matty Courtliff said: “There would have been more car movements to the building when it was a dental practice. And there have been no residents’ objections, which you’d expect if there had been problems.”

The application had been called into the committee by Nythe, Eldene and Liden Parish Council and if the committee had voted the other way SCH UK Ltd could have faced having to undo the work.

The building has been used as an HMO for seven residents since 2014 despite the conversion from a dental surgery being refused twice when applications were made in 2013, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The proposal to regularise the use of the building as an HMO was passed unanimously.