Southampton City Council: Neil McKeon of Pure Town Planning is pleased to have secured retrospective full planning permission for the conversion of a dwelling to a 4 bedroom HMO (house in multiple occupancy) in Shirley, Southampton.

As Southampton City Council have obtained an Article 4 Direction, this effectively withdraws the permitted development right to change the use of a C3 dwelling to a C4 HMO (3-6 individual residents).

Southampton City Council’s adopted HMO Supplementary Planning Document dictates that planning permission will only be granted where the proportion of HMO dwellings does not exceed 10% of residential properties within a 40m radius of the application site. As part of a supporting Planning Statement, Pure Town Planning successfully demonstrated that this HMO threshold would not be breached as a result of the proposed change of use.

The Planning Officer determined that the proposal would not create any undue harm to neighbouring amenity, parking and highway safety would remain unaffected and the residential character of the area would be safeguarded – subsequently granting planning permission for C4 HMO use of the dwelling.

If you are considering a HMO conversion of an existing dwelling and seek assistance in steering your scheme through the planning process, then contact Pure Town Planning on 01202 585524, or email us at info@puretownplanning.co.uk, for a free and confidential planning consultation.