Policy KET8 Houses in Multiple Occupation
- Development proposals for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) will only be supported where the following criteria are met:
- the proportion of HMO dwellings does not exceed 10% of the residential properties within a 100m radius from the application site. Where the circle does not include a minimum of 10 residential properties, the threshold will apply to the 10 residential properties nearest to the application site. When the threshold has been breached already, planning permission will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
- the development does not result in any residential property (C3 use) being ‘sandwiched’ between two HMOs.
- The development would not result in the creation of more than two adjacent properties in HMO use;
- Notwithstanding the threshold limit and exceptional circumstances, other material considerations (such as intensification of use, highway safety, residential amenity of future and existing occupiers) arising from the impact of the proposal will be assessed in accordance with NNCs relevant development management policies and guidance.
- Proposals for HMOs are strongly encouraged to include provision for cycle parking, bin storage and space for car club parking.
Supporting Text
- It is recognised that HMOs play a key role in providing accommodation for students, but they also provide homes for those on lower incomes and those who are not in a position to rent or own their own individual home. However, an overconcentration in an area can lead to unacceptable impacts on neighbouring amenity which is considered harmful to local communities. Therefore, in striking a balance to ensure that housing need is met and to ensure that those HMOs which are subject to planning control (currently 7+ occupants) this policy legislates for the overall number and concentration in any given location to encourage a more even distribution across the neighbourhood plan area.
- This policy area could also provide an appropriate evidence base to request the inclusion of an Article 4 Direction, such as that introduced in in Corby, to bring all HMO applications into the planning regime, irrespective of the number of occupants.
- Issues in respect of HMOs can include disturbance arising from the intensification of use of a home by the greater comings and goings associated with occupiers living independently of each other in comparison to a typical a family unit. There can also be a greater demand on street parking in neighbourhoods with heavily parked streets where occupiers of HMOs would independently use their own vehicles, leading to a negative impact on amenity by the displacement of street parking available for other local residents within close walking distance of their homes.
- The Advisory Panel identified that a number of the streets with HMOs are very narrow. Due to excessive parking and inappropriate placement of bins, this leads to safety issues on the pavements for pedestrians forced into the road as footway access is restricted.
Policy Map
To see the full Kettering Central Neighbourhood Plan Policy Map, please visit our Policy Map page.