Burnley Council's executive has been asked to back a proposal that could see planning permission become a requirement for small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) conversions in six more wards. This plan aims to extend controls across the entire borough.
The proposal involves supporting an Article 4 Direction, which would remove permitted development rights for such conversions. The areas covered by this proposed change include Briercliffe, Cliviger with Worsthorne, Coalclough with Deerplay, Hapton with Park, Lanehead, and Whittlefield with Ightenhill.
Currently, owners in these wards can convert a single home into an HMO for three to six people without needing planning permission. Councillor Howard Baker, executive member for housing and planning, stated that monitoring has shown HMOs are present beyond the original Article 4 boundary, potentially leading to issues like anti-social behaviour, crime, and increased parking pressures.
Councillor Baker added that while the proposal would not prevent HMOs from being created, it would give the council more control over their number and location. The proposed changes would specifically affect smaller properties housing between three and six people, as larger HMOs are already subject to planning permission.