BCP Council (Bournemouth area): Jess Glover is pleased to announce that she has recently secured planning permission for alterations and change of use to a House in Multiple Occupation (C4 Use Class) in the Moordown area of Bournemouth.
The change of use from C3 dwellinghouse to C4 House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) would be permitted development, however Bournemouth is subject to an Article 4 Direction, due to high concentrations of HMOs in certain areas, which prevents owners exercising this permitted development right. As such, planning permission is required for this change of use.
In preparing this particular case, we were required to demonstrate that fewer than 10% of properties within 100m of the site along the road and adjacent roads were in an existing HMO use. Additionally, in compiling the application we were required to demonstrate that the future occupants would have an acceptable standard of living in terms of space, communal facilities, privacy and outlook.
The Planning Officer considered there were in fact fewer than 10% of properties in a HMO use and that the plans demonstrated the HMO occupants would have an acceptable standard of living and recommended the application for approval. However, the application was called in by a Councillor due to the proposed alterations to the building regularising the built form on site. At planning committee we produced a robust deputation and visual aid for Councillors to demonstrate that the proposed alterations were in fact minimal and would not be harmful to the character and appearance of the area, and it was duly supported by members.
If you have any sites and are considering applying for a change of use why don’t you contact Pure Town Planning at info@puretownplanning.co.uk for a free confidential planning enquiry.