Burnley Council is considering tightening the planning rules around converting properties into houses in multiple occupation (HMO) in an additional 6 wards in the borough. Which, if confirmed, would mean that the whole of the borough is covered.
As part of a long term Burnley Council strategy to manage HMOs in the borough, which has included the adoption of the Houses in Multiple Occupation and Small Flats Supplementary Planning Document in 2022 and an Article 4 Direction coming into force in 9 wards within the borough in 2024, alongside additional controls in selective licensing areas, a report to its executive recommended removing what are known as permitted development rights which currently allow a single dwelling house to be changed into a small HMO without planning permission in the following wards:.
• Briercliffe;
• Cliviger with Worsthorne;
• Coalclough with Deerplay;
• Hapton with Park;
• Lanehead; and
• Whittlefield with Ightenhill
An HMO is a property shared by at least three people not of the same family with shared facilities such as bathroom or kitchen.
Currently, in these 6 wards, a single dwelling can be converted into an HMO for between three and six people without the need for planning permission. Under the proposals put forward by the council, anyone wanting to do that would have to submit a planning application. Larger HMOs are already subject to planning permission.
“There has always been a commitment to monitor the number of HMOs in the wards outside of the boundary of the Article 4 Direction which came into force in 2024. This monitoring provides is evidence that HMOs are present in the wards beyond the original Article 4 boundary and this could lead to issues such as anti-social behaviour and crime and increased pressures on parking. It is therefore appropriate, and timely, to propose this further Article 4 Direction” said Councillor Howard Baker, executive member for Housing and Planning.
“HMOs can also meet a need for low-cost and flexible housing, particularly for young people and those on low incomes. But we need to get the balance right, so I welcome this report setting out the issues.”
“The proposal to remove permitted development rights won’t prevent HMOs being created but it will give the council more control over how many there are and where.”
The proposals will be subject to six weeks of public consultation. Further details of this consultation will be publicised in the coming weeks. A further report will be taken to the executive in Spring 2027 to consider the comments received and decide whether to confirm the proposal.
If confirmed, the new arrangement is set to come into operation from September 2027 to allow for the legal process to be completed.
Post expires at 4:04pm on Tuesday November 17th, 2026