BCP Council (Bournemouth): We are delighted to announce that planning permission has been granted for the temporary change of use of a former hotel to a sui generis House in Multiple Occupation comprising 38 rooms.
This is a significant approval and represents one of the largest HMO permissions granted in the Bournemouth area. The site fell within a highly sustainable location within Bournemouth Town Centre, close to public transport, local services, employment opportunities, the beach and public gardens.
The application was positively assessed by BCP Council, with the Case Officer recognising that the proposal would make an important contribution to local housing supply which was afforded significant weight in the planning balance.
The Council also accepted that the principle of residential development at the site had already been established through previous permissions, including the earlier approval for flatted development (which we also secured). The proposal involved no external alterations to the building, meaning there would be no adverse impact on the street scene or the West Cliff and Poole Hill Conservation Area.
Importantly, there were no objections from BCP Highways, Waste or Trees, and no public representations were received. The officer concluded that the site is in a sustainable location for housing, that the accommodation provides sufficient internal space for future residents, and that the benefits of delivering much-needed housing outweighed the identified harms.
This decision is an excellent example of how existing under-used buildings can be brought into effective use to provide flexible, well-located accommodation in areas of real housing need. We are pleased to have assisted in securing this game-changing decision for our client.