A further immediate Article 4 Direction took effect on 11th November, extending restrictions to additional mapped areas across Tonbridge and Malling.
Tonbridge HMO controls extended to wider areas
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Use Class C4 News
English planning news concerning small houses in multiple occupation within Use Class C4.
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Kingston HMO controls proposed across borough
Kingston proposes borough-wide controls on small HMOs, with an immediate Article 4 Direction due before councillors on 18 November.
Southsea HMO appeal allowed, no costs
An eight-person HMO wins permission despite a 38.2% local HMO concentration, but its separate claim for appeal costs is refused.
Liverpool HMO appeals: three wins and one defeat
Four Liverpool HMO certificate appeals produce three successful claims and one dismissal, exposing the difference between lawful use and occupancy gaps.
Reading HMO controls could expand under Article 4 plan
Reading councillors will consider extending HMO planning controls to further neighbourhoods, with a non-immediate Article 4 Direction proposed.
Liverpool HMO controls take effect in five areas
Liverpool HMO controls now apply in five mapped areas, requiring planning permission for small HMO conversions, with a further Direction proposed for 2027.
Knowsley HMO controls come into force
The sealed borough-wide Direction removes a permitted development right for small shared homes, with public consultation open until 16th December.
Oxford HMO lawfulness appeal fails despite licences
Licences and letters fail to establish ten years of continuous HMO use as an Oxford certificate of lawfulness appeal is dismissed.
Four South Tyneside HMO appeals allowed under Policy 16
Four new HMO appeals succeed across South Shields and Jarrow as an Inspector applies the recently adopted local plan’s housing mix and amenity tests.
Bolton HMO appeal fails despite earlier lawful certificate
Bolton’s Article 4 controls left an unimplemented HMO certificate ineffective, while poor living conditions also defeated the appeal.
Salford HMO appeal fails over concentration and noise
A Salford Inspector rejects an eight-bedroom HMO conversion amid disputed lawful-use evidence, 17.97% HMO concentration, noise and neighbour privacy concerns.
Preston HMO appeal allowed but costs claim refused
An Inspector approves a five-bedroom HMO at a former Preston religious retreat but rejects a separate claim for appeal costs.
Four South Shields HMO appeals allowed
Four appeals allow two pairs of South Shields flats to become HMOs after scrutiny of clustering, parking and Policy 16.
HMO enforcement appeal: friends defeat Haringey notice
Haringey’s HMO enforcement notice is quashed after an Inspector finds four unrelated tenants formed one household under planning law.
Exeter HMO lawfulness appeal fails over third household
An Exeter HMO certificate appeal fails after an Inspector finds that adding a third independent household materially changed the use of a terraced home.
Bristol HMO appeal allowed at 10.05% concentration
An office-to-HMO conversion for three people wins permission despite Bristol’s 10% concentration threshold, but the applicant’s claim for costs is refused.
Liverpool HMO call-in delays new Article 4 planning controls
Liverpool councillors will scrutinise the Cabinet’s new HMO Article 4 plans on 29th October, delaying implementation while the decision is reviewed.
Ashford HMO controls move forward after council vote
Ashford councillors back evidence gathering for wider HMO planning controls, but no new Article 4 Direction has been made.
Cambridge HMO controls approved
Cabinet has approved preparation of city HMO controls, but no Article 4 Direction has yet been made or taken effect.
Tonbridge HMO controls now in force
Immediate controls now require planning permission for new small HMO conversions in mapped parts of Tonbridge, Snodland and East Malling.
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