Supplementary Planning Guidance open for public consultation to support Immediate Article 4 Direction
Rossendale Borough Council will publish Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) to support the recently introduced Immediate Article 4 Direction relating to small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
The draft SPG will be open for public consultation for four weeks from mid-November. It provides detailed guidance on how planning applications for HMOs will be assessed, following the introduction of the Article 4 Direction which means that planning permission is now required for any new HMO conversions that would previously have been permitted development.
The SPG sets out how proposals will be considered through the planning process to ensure that:
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new HMOs are delivered in suitable locations
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to prevent over-concentration of HMOs in order to safeguard communities, for example by ensuring a supply of housing for families,
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to protect the local character and amenity,
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to ensure the occupants of HMOs have satisfactory amenity, and
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to ensure that the development of HMOs does not impact on local character or the amenity of neighbours.
The Article 4 Direction gives the Council greater oversight of HMO conversions, enabling more effective monitoring and a consistent approach to managing future growth across the borough.
The immediate Article 4 Direction remains in effect, and the Secretary of State has been notified of the Council’s decision. Further details about the SPG consultation are available on the Council’s website.