HMO consultation now live

Last week, Dudley Council’s planning committee gave the go ahead for a consultation to go live, which will run until October 31.

People are asked to comment on borough-wide plans to remove permitted development rights which means all applications for a HMO, regardless of size, would be governed by the same rules.

Currently people can change the use of a property to a small house of multiple occupation (between three and six occupiers) under permitted development rights, meaning planning permission is not currently required. While larger HMOs have to go through the full planning process.

The proposals have been supported by members at a meeting of the council’s cabinet and the consultation is the next part of the process.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said:

Please take a few minutes to take part in this consultation, it’s really important people’s comments are taken on board as part of this process.

We believe it is essential to standardise the approach for all HMO developments to ensure consistency of standards for our residents and that they can be considered as part of wider planning for future housing developments.”

All of the documents and relevant information can be viewed at: https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/planning/planning-policy/dudley-local-plan/hmo-article-4-direction/

People can write in or email comments to planning.policy@dudley.gov.uk

People can also view the documents at Dudley Council House, Priory Road, Dudley, DY1 1HF.

The council can make these changes under Article 4(a) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) but it needs to go through the consultation period with the public beforehand. 

The Article 4 Direction would not come into force for 12 month subject to confirmation from cabinet. This acts as a grace period to ensure developers of new HMOs are aware of the changes to planning guidance.