Decision details

Adoption of Supplementary Planning Document and Confirmation of Article 4 Direction

(1) To CONFIRM the Article 4 Direction relating to small HMOs made on 31 May 2012 and advertised in the Council’s Notice of Making an Article 4 Direction;

(2) To ADOPT the Supplementary Planning Document on Houses in Multiple Occupation in Bath, to supplement the Local Plan, specifically saved Policy HG.12 which will be given significant weight in the determination of planning applications; and

(3) To DELEGATE responsibility to the Divisional Director of Planning & Transport to make graphic and minor textual amendments to the SPD prior to adoption.

Confirming the Article 4 Direction for HMOs and adopting the SPD will facilitate increased planning control over the future growth of Houses in Multiple Occupation in the City of Bath.

A full range of options in relation to the control and regulation of HMOs in Bath was considered in 2011-12. A decision was made to undertake work to proceed with an Article 4 Direction, accompanied by a Supplementary Planning Document and for Housing Services to explore the implementation of Additional Licencing for HMOs.