Article 4 Direction on small HMOs coming into force
On 7 January 2019 Lewisham Council confirmed a non-immediate Article 4 Direction made on 5 March 2019, for Lewisham's southern wards (Bellingham, Whitefoot, Downham and Grove Park) to withdraw permitted development rights for the change of use from dwelling houses (Use Class C3) to small HMO's (Use Class C4). A small HMO is where between 3 and 6 unrelated people share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
The Direction will come into force on the 7 March 2020.
This means that planning permission will be required from 07/03/2020 onwards before a single family dwelling house can be converted into a small HMO within Lewisham's southern wards. For planning permission to be granted, it will need to be demonstrated that there is a specific need in the area, that the conversion would not "harm" the character of the area and that the accommodation is of a high standard. Then, the conversion from a single family dwelling house to a small HMO may be deemed acceptable alongside any other relevant development management policies within the adopted local plan at the time.
This would enable the Council to better manage the impact and improve the standard of small HMO's within the boroughs southern wards, alongside the extension to the HMO licensing scheme where now all HMOs with five or more occupants need to have a license.
Find out more
Read a copy of the Article 4 Direction and associated documents at the link below: