Burnley Council has launched a six-week public consultation on proposals to tighten the planning rules around converting properties into houses of 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, the council is considering 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.
Councillor Howard Baker, Executive Member for Housing and Planning, said: “I would encourage anyone with an interest in this issue to take part in this consultation. We want to hear all views to help us take an informed decision.
“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 consultation will end on 6th November. The council’s preferred method for receiving consultation responses is via e-mail to localplan@burnley.gov.uk
Alternatively, comments can be submitted by post to Burnley Borough Council, Economy and Growth, Town Hall, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 9SA.
More information on the proposals can be found at
https://burnley.gov.uk/planning/planning-permission/do-i-need-planning-permission/article4/article-4-direction-houses-in-multiple-occupation/
A report will be taken to the council’s 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 10:38am on Friday December 25th, 2026