COUNCILLORS have warned of setting a precedent that could see garages across the town converted into homes.

One suggested that, if approved, a plan to convert a butchers’ could “open up virtually every single garden in places like Goddard Avenue and The Mall”.

It came as parish councillors considered a bid to convert the former Nichols butchers’ shop on Kingshill Road into a six-bedroom house, with

a garage turned into a standalone one-bedroom flat.
Branding it “over-intensification”, they feared the former shop could become a shared house – or house of multiple occupation (HMO).

Coun John Firmin, who represents the central ward, told the meeting of South Swindon Parish Council of his fears.

He said: “Most of the town centre properties have garages on to back alleyways. 

“If this is permitted and we get a precedent of a few of these being approved, then it’s actually a very big part of the town where this could happen. 

“If we are exposed to this I think the planning committee need to be thinking about this very seriously before we get too many of these.”

Coun Neil Hopkins added: “My concern is if this type of development is allowed, you’d open up virtually every single garden in places like Goddard Avenue, The Mall, because they’ve all got existing garages at the bottom of their gardens.

“It’s the same principle. I think it is quite intensive.”

Calling it “over-intensification” of the site, Coun Steve Allsopp said the development would be “liable to cause difficulties”. Coun Stan Pajak warned that it could cause parking problems in the area.

Coun Anthony Hawkins joked: “I don’t know many family homes that have en-suite bedrooms.”

Meanwhile, Easctott parish councillor Stan Pajak suggested that the development could impact parking locally. Residents already struggled to find places to park, he said.

He warned that it would be difficult to access by car: “If this goes ahead you will have a real issue with access to that garage conversion.”

Councillors objected to the appeal on the basis of “over-intensification”.

It will now be scrutinised by the borough council’s planning officers.

The parish council has previously raised concerns about HMOs in the parish.

Earlier this month, councillor Paul Dixon hit out after developers appealed the council’s decision to block the conversion of the former Stanwell tool shop on Eastcott Road. 

He said: “The developer’s grounds for the appeal don’t seem to really add anything at all.”