BCP Council (Bournemouth area): Jess Glover is delighted to announce that she has recently secured planning permission to establish the lawful use of a former Bed & Breakfast (C1 Use Class) as an 11 bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (Sui Generis Use Class) in the West Southbourne area of Bournemouth.

Lawful Development applications take time to prepare to ensure that on the balance of probability the evidence submitted will make clear to the Council that the unlawful use has continuously operated for the minimum amount of time required to become lawful under the relevant statutory legislation.

In preparing this particular case, which was an unlawful change of use, we were required to demonstrate that the use had continued for a period in excess of 10 years. The applicant was able to provide extensive records including tenant records, statements from previous tenants, bank account statements, property marketing information and statutory declarations signed by the owners to confirm the HMO use of the site.

The Planning Officer considered that the evidence sources provided did in fact demonstrate that on the balance of probabilities, the former Bed & Breakfast has been in use as a Sui Generis House in Multiple Occupation continuously for over 10 years to the present date and subsequently approved the application. The client was delighted with the positive outcome.

Here at PTP we are still working hard to secure those planning consents. Therefore, if you have any sites which may currently be in an unlawful use or you have an unauthorised use or building which you are considering to regularise why don’t you contact Pure Town Planning at info@puretownplanning.co.uk for a free confidential planning enquiry.