People invited to have their say on HMO planning

Four drop-in events are being held to give people the opportunity to learn more and speak with officers before the consultation ends on Friday, September 27. 

Councillor Peter Diplock, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "HMOs form an important part of the housing offer in Eastbourne, especially for people whose housing options are limited, such as young professionals, students and those on low incomes who are unable to afford their own self-contained accommodation. 

"However, when there is a high concentration of HMOs in an area, we have seen that standards can fall below expected levels and anti-social behaviour has increased in a number of locations." 

In July, Cabinet councillors agreed a package of interventions to help address issues associated with HMOs such as the introduction of new planning policy to assist in the determination of planning applications for new HMOs and tighter controls over when new HMOs need planning permission.  

Under permitted development rights, landlords can currently convert single private dwellings to small HMOs with six or less occupants without needing to apply for planning permission. 

The council is seeking people's views on its proposal to make an Article 4 Direction which would remove these permitted development rights so that all developers who wish to change a house into an HMO in Devonshire, Meads, Upperton and parts of St Anthonys will need to apply for planning permission, whatever the number of occupants.  

Alongside this, the council is proposing to introduce new, detailed planning policy that would be used to help determine planning applications for new HMOs. This policy would consider issues such as the concentration of HMOs in close proximity to the application site, the loss of family homes to HMOs, the impact on the amenity of neighbours, and the standard of accommodation for occupants.  

Councillor Diplock added: "We want to improve HMOs for all concerned so I hope as many people as possible give us their views in this consultation to help shape the way we plan for them in the future." 

Three drop-in events at Eastbourne Town Hall will be on:   

·                  Wednesday, September 11, 11am - 2pm  

·                  Monday, September 16, 2pm-5pm  

·                  Tuesday, September 24, 5pm-8pm  

A further drop-in event will be held at Leaf Hall, Seaside, on Wednesday, September 18, 3pm - 7pm.

To take part in the consultation, visit www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/HMO-Planning   

Alternatively, email your comments to LocalPlan@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk or write to: Planning Policy, Eastbourne Borough Council, Eastbourne Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4UH  

Paper copies of the HMO Development Plan Document and Article 4 Direction Notice are available to view at Eastbourne Town Hall throughout the consultation. 

Published on August 1, 2024.

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