Planning Policy Document for managing the growth of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in parts of Selly Oak, Harborne and Edgbaston

Overview

You are being asked to comment on the Draft Planning Policy Document which is to provide a policy approach to planning applications seeking a change of use from residential property to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the Article 4 Direction area (see map).

A period of 6 weeks consultation will take place on this Planning Policy Document, following which a Council report will be progressed outlining the results of the public consultation, identifying any improvements or changes and recommending adoption of the policy. 

             Consultation Period: 15 September – 24 October 2014

What is proposed?

It is proposed that in order to maintain balanced communities and avoid the over concentration of HMOs, any new application that would result in the proportion of HMOs exceeding 10% of the dwellings within a 100 meter radius of the application property will be refused.

The policy that we are seeking your views on is as follows:

Policy HMO1 

Conversion of C3 family housing to HMOs will not be permitted where there is already an over concentration of HMO accommodation (C4 or Sui Generis) or where it would result in an over concentration. An over-concentration would occur when 10% or more of the houses, within a 100m radius of the application site, would not be in use as a single family dwelling (C3 use). The city council will resist those schemes that breach this on the basis that it would lead to an over-concentration of such uses.

CLICK HERE to access The Planning Policy Document for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in parts of Selly Oak, Harborne and Edgbaston.

Background to the Article 4 Direction:

A decision to introduce an Article 4 Direction in this area resulted from an analysis of city wide concentrations of HMOs revealing the particularly high levels found in Bournbrook and the spread to surrounding areas of Selly Oak, Harborne and Edgbaston wards.

On 21st November 2013 the Council authorised the making of a non-immediate Article 4 Direction covering parts of Selly Oak, Edgbaston and Harborne wards to help the Council better manage the growth of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).  The aim is to avoid over-concentration of such uses thus maintaining balanced communities.

Formal consultation on this proposal ran from 29th November 2103 to 31st January 2014 and a report is being taken to Cabinet outlining the results of this and seeking confirmation of the Direction.  If approved this will remove permitted development rights for the change of use to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Class 4) from a dwelling (Class 3) within the defined area.  The earliest date the Direction can come into effect is 30th November 2014.

A series of meetings and drop-in-sessions are planned and you are welcome to come along and speak to officers:

How to comment:

If you have any comment or suggestion regarding this plnning Policy Document, follow the instruction in the YOUR VIEWS box below and complete the questionnaire.

Or you can respond by writing to the free post address below or email to: consultation_P&Rsouth@birmingham.gov.uk

Freepost:  RSXB-ATZL-RTHU

Planning Policy Document for Article 4 Direction for HMOs

South Planning and Regeneration

PO Box 28. 

Birmingham

B1 1TU