Purpose

The purpose of the Direction is to ensure that such changes require express planning permission, enabling the local planning authority to consider impacts on local amenity, housing balance, parking, waste storage and wider community wellbeing.

Decision

The Cabinet has considered a proposal for the introduction of an Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights for changes of use from Use Class C3 dwellinghouses to Use Class C4 small houses in multiple occupation.

The purpose of the Direction is to ensure that such changes require express planning permission, enabling the local planning authority to consider impacts on local amenity, housing balance, parking, waste storage and wider community wellbeing.

The Cabinet has then given approval to the making of an immediate Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights for the change of use from Use Class C3 dwellinghouses to Use Class C4 small houses in multiple occupation across the borough, and has authorised the relevant officers to issue the Direction and associated notices.

Alternative options considered

(1) Maintain the current approach, requiring planning permission only for larger HMOs while allowing small HMOs to proceed under permitted development rights.

(2) Introduce an Article 4 Direction for a smaller geographical area rather than

borough-wide coverage.

(3) Introduce a non-immediate Article 4 Direction, either with or without a 12-month implementation period.