Planning and HMO's

Planning and HMOs

For planning purposes a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) can be small or large:

Small HMO (use class C4)

A small HMO is a property occupied by between three and six unrelated individuals, as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom. Change of use to a small HMO does not currently require planning permission but will require licensing.

The Council has now confirmed a non-immediate Article 4 Direction that will come into force on the 3 March 2027. The purpose of this Article 4(1) Direction is to remove permitted development rights for the change of use from dwellinghouses (Use Class C3) to small HMOs (Use Class C4) within the designated area. This will enable Gloucester City Council to manage and control the concentration and impact of HMOs through the planning process by restoring the requirement for planning permission under Part III of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for such a change of use. The Direction applies to land within the administrative area of Gloucester City Council, namely the wards of Kingsholm and Wotton, Elmbridge, Westgate, Barton and Tredworth, Moreland and Kingsway.

A copy of the confirmed Direction decision and the map defining the area to which it relates may be viewed on the Council’s website and by prior appointment, at the following address during normal office hours: Appointment Centre, Gloucester City Council, Eastgate Management Suite, Eastgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1PA.

Large HMO (use class Sui-Generis)

A large HMO is a property occupied by 7 or more people who form more than 1 household. These require planning permission and licensing.

The Gloucester City Plan (2011-2031) (GCP) sets out when planning permission will be granted. All policies in the GCP require consideration but there is also a specific policy for HMOs which says:

Policy A2: HMO
Planning permission for the creation of a HMO will be permitted where:

1. The development would not result in any existing residential property (C3 use) being ‘sandwiched’ between two HMOs; and
2. The development would not result in the creation of more than two adjacent properties in HMO use; and
3. HMOs, including the proposed development, would represent no more than 10% of properties within a 100-metre radius of the application property.

For further details of how to use this policy, and to see other policy considerations, please refer to HMOs– A guide for applicants and decision takers -Adopted Development Plan | Gloucester City Council

Notices

Article 4 direction notice