Issue - meetings

Until 1 October 2010 planning permission was required for the change of use of a building including a dwelling-house to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). On 1 October 2010 the Government introduced new legislation. Planning permission is now not required for the change of use of a dwelling house to an HMO for up to 6 unrelated people. 

The option exists for Councils to remove this right for parts of its District. This power lies within the existing provisions of Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended). Under Article 4 a Direction may be made by a Local Planning Authority to remove permitted development rights and require a planning application to be made, in this case, by a person wishing to change the use of a dwelling-house to an HMO

An Article 4 direction was made by the Portfolio Holder on 3 February to authorise the making of an Article 4 Direction on. The Direction will come into force after 12 from this date. However, in order for this to happen the Direction must be confirmed by the Cabinet within 6 months of it having been made.

Councillor C. Hart spoke under Council Procedure Rule 24.1.

Councillor Moores moved, Councillor Wells seconded and Cabinet confirmed the Direction.