Consultation on Supplementary Planning Guidance for Houses in Multiple Occupation

Thank you for your interest in the proposed planning guidance for new Houses in Multiple Occupations (HMOs). An HMO is usually defined as a building or flat in which two or more households share a basic amenity, such as bathroom or  kitchen.

On Friday 19 September, an Article 4 Direction was introduced for the whole of Rossendale to remove permitted development rights to convert a  house into an HMO. This means that planning applications are now required for all new HMOs and the proposed supplementary planning guidance (SPG) will be used in the assessment of these planning applications.

Please take a look at the proposed guidance prior to answering the questions. 

This survey is open for 4 weeks until Thursday 11 December 2025.

 

Please provide your contact information:  *

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Please confirm you have read the privacy notice: *

 

Please select the statement that best applies to you: *

 

1. Do you agree with the first criteria of the policy that any new HMOs should not be within 50m radius distance of an existing known HMO? *

 

2. Do you agree that any new HMOs should be within walking distance (within 250m) of a town centre? *

 

3. Do you agree that there should be sufficient off-street car-parking (unless the property is located in a very sustainable location with excellent access to public transport) and that the new development shall not increase highway safety concerns? 

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4. Do you agree that there should be sufficient space within the curtilage of the property for the provision of sufficient secure cycle parking? *

 

5. Do you agree there should be sufficient space storage provision for waste and recycling containers in a suitable enclosure area within the curtilage of the property? *

 

6. Do you agree that on submission of a planning application, the condition of the property must be of a high standard, and contributes positively to the character of the immediate locality with assurances that the condition of the property will be maintained following the change of use to HMO? (Please refer to 'Appendix 1 – Property Condition Standards Checklist' of the Council's Standards for HMOs) *

 

7. Do you agree with criteria 7 that the increase in the number of residents from the new development should not have an adverse impact on the level of amenity neighbouring residents can reasonably expect to enjoy? *

 

8. Do you agree that the development shall accord with the Council’s latest version of Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation? *

 

9. Do you support the use of this Supplementary Planning Guidance to inform decisions on planning applications for new HMOs? *

 

If you would like to be added to our consultation database to hear about future consultations on planning policy matters in Rossendale, please us the link below to register your interest:

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