Redevelopment - House in Multiple Occupation
Discussion
I happened to walk the dog along an unmade nearby road which is on the outside edge of our towns built up area. In fact historically there were nurseries (plants) between the road and the rear gardens of the lase houses in the town although the nurseries are all overgrown.
On my walk I noticed a planning application on one of these nurseries, and I think it was the only one with a dwelling attached. The dwelling was a bungalow and the application was to demolish House in multiple occupancy and replace with 6 dwellings.
This got me thinking, the road is a single track, unmade cul-de-sac and I suspect in normal circumstances a development of net 5 new houses may be rejected on planning grounds due to increased traffic etc. However does the fact the original property is a house in multiple occupancy mean the developer can claim there is limited increase in traffic?
I havent looked up the planning application yet, and its not something that bothers me in the slightest as I dont live there. I was just wondering whether as a developer wanting to develop a site that may be objected to on highway grounds you could turn your original into a house in multiple occupancy and then submit your redevelopment plan?
On my walk I noticed a planning application on one of these nurseries, and I think it was the only one with a dwelling attached. The dwelling was a bungalow and the application was to demolish House in multiple occupancy and replace with 6 dwellings.
This got me thinking, the road is a single track, unmade cul-de-sac and I suspect in normal circumstances a development of net 5 new houses may be rejected on planning grounds due to increased traffic etc. However does the fact the original property is a house in multiple occupancy mean the developer can claim there is limited increase in traffic?
I havent looked up the planning application yet, and its not something that bothers me in the slightest as I dont live there. I was just wondering whether as a developer wanting to develop a site that may be objected to on highway grounds you could turn your original into a house in multiple occupancy and then submit your redevelopment plan?
The rules are somewhat more flexible, these days, but traditionally (under a previous guidance document called Design Bulletin 32) there was a limit of 5 dwellings to be shared off a private drive.
Depending upon the Local Authority, the Highways Department may well still push for this. There are also 'rules' (well, firm guidance, anyway, in a document called 'Manual for Streets') about travel distances between dwellings and the adopted road, and lastly but most importantly, there are rules about fire service access.
As Blueg33 says, the 'professional' way to deal with it would be simply to upgrade the design and construction of the access road to adoptable standards (or to reduce the number of units to 5, so that a 'shared private drive' becomes acceptable, if the fire service and refuse collection requirements can be met), but if they don't propose to do either, they may well run into resistance at Planning.
Depending upon the Local Authority, the Highways Department may well still push for this. There are also 'rules' (well, firm guidance, anyway, in a document called 'Manual for Streets') about travel distances between dwellings and the adopted road, and lastly but most importantly, there are rules about fire service access.
As Blueg33 says, the 'professional' way to deal with it would be simply to upgrade the design and construction of the access road to adoptable standards (or to reduce the number of units to 5, so that a 'shared private drive' becomes acceptable, if the fire service and refuse collection requirements can be met), but if they don't propose to do either, they may well run into resistance at Planning.
I have since had a look at the application itself, well the letters of objection etc.
The waste collectors have questioned the turning bay and whether it is large enough for a dustcart and/or fire engine, interestingly the Town Council made no comment about the application.
A number of local residents have commented on the access road, those down hill have questioned drainage and water run off, and a number have queried the House in Multiple Occupation asking if it was as it never appeared to be. I then looked at the application for certificate of use for the house of multiple occupation. Surprisingly it was granted on evidence of the district council themselves as their environmental team inspected it back in 2003 and determined it was a house in multiple occupation. The officer dealing with the case though expressed surprise that the applicant hadnt supplied tenancies etc to prove the case.
The development of 6 houses application remains undetermined at present.
The waste collectors have questioned the turning bay and whether it is large enough for a dustcart and/or fire engine, interestingly the Town Council made no comment about the application.
A number of local residents have commented on the access road, those down hill have questioned drainage and water run off, and a number have queried the House in Multiple Occupation asking if it was as it never appeared to be. I then looked at the application for certificate of use for the house of multiple occupation. Surprisingly it was granted on evidence of the district council themselves as their environmental team inspected it back in 2003 and determined it was a house in multiple occupation. The officer dealing with the case though expressed surprise that the applicant hadnt supplied tenancies etc to prove the case.
The development of 6 houses application remains undetermined at present.
Chrisgr31 said:
The waste collectors have questioned the turning bay and whether it is large enough for a dustcart and/or fire engine, interestingly the Town Council made no comment about the application.
It will usually be the statutory consultee response from Highways that will be the one the Planning Officer listens to.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff