Notice of confirming an article 4 direction
From 14 September, planning permission will be required to change the use of a house to a small House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) accommodating 3-6 people. This requirement applies to the whole of Wolverhampton. From the 17th January 2018 a planning application fee of £462 is applicable.
On 13 September 2016 City of Wolverhampton Council made a Direction under Article 4(1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).
On 13 September 2017 City of Wolverhampton Council confirmed this Direction and the Direction came into force on 14 September 2017.
The Direction applies to development within the City of Wolverhampton local authority area consisting of a change of use from a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses) being development comprised within Class L) of Part 3 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 to a use falling within Class C4 (houses in multiple occupation) of that Order to accommodate between three and six people.
The effect of the Direction is that, within the defined area, the permission granted by article 3 of the 2015 Order shall not apply to such change of use and consequently, once the Direction has come into force, such change of use will require planning permission.
A copy of the HMO Article 4 Direction can be found in the Downloads section
Here you can view the Cabinet Report confirming the direction.
The HMO Planning Guidance note, which can be found in the Downloads section, provides informal guidance for applicants, neighbours, officers and Councillors dealing with HMO applications in the planning process.