The Planning Policy Advisory Panel are scheduled to meet on 11 November 2025, at Harrow Council Hub. The agenda includes a scoping report on a potential Article 4 Direction regarding houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), a scoping report for a replacement Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), and a discussion on the draft West London Waste Plan.

Article 4 Direction on Houses in Multiple Occupation

The panel will be asked to provide input on a scoping report regarding the potential introduction of an Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights for converting dwelling houses into small houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Currently, under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, converting a dwelling house (C3 class) into a small HMO (C4 class) for 3-6 unrelated people does not require planning permission.

The report highlights that the council's draft Local Plan 2021-2041 recognises HMOs as an important source of low-cost housing. However, it also acknowledges the potential negative impacts, such as:

• Poor refuse management
• Anti-social behaviour, noise and nuisance
• Imbalanced and unsustainable communities
• Negative impacts on the physical environment and streetscape
• Pressures upon parking provision

The report sets out several options, including taking no action, applying conditions to new developments, or relying on voluntary compliance. The report notes that an Article 4 Direction would allow the council to manage small HMOs more effectively by applying Local Plan policies. The panel will be asked to comment on the intention to progress an Article 4 Direction for the entire borough, noting the risk of compensation claims. The report also notes that the Secretary of State must be notified at both the introduction and confirmation stages and has the power to modify or revoke the Article 4 Direction.

The report also refers to the council's additional licensing scheme for HMOs under the Housing Act 2004, which seeks to ensure HMOs meet certain standards.

The report also notes that other neighbouring boroughs, including Hounslow, Barnet, Ealing, and Hillingdon, have already implemented Article 4 Directions covering parts of their boroughs.

The report states that if the decision is made to progress an Article 4 Direction, additional evidence will be collected regarding the quantity, spatial distribution, and potential harms of HMOs. This evidence may include:

• Census data
• Planning applications
• Licensing data
• Electoral register
• Planning enforcement records
• Council tax records
• Building control records

Replacement Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document

The panel will be asked to provide comments on a scoping report for a replacement Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The current Planning Obligations and Affordable Housing SPD was adopted in 2013, and the report states that the planning policy framework has significantly changed since then. The new SPD will support the new Harrow Local Plan (2021-2041), if it is found sound by the Planning Inspectorate.

The report states that planning obligations are scheme-specific requirements secured as part of a grant of planning permission to ensure impacts arising from new development are addressed. These obligations may be contained in a Section 106 agreement or a unilateral undertaking. The report notes that planning obligations must meet certain tests set out in Regulation 122 of the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010.

The report outlines proposed changes between the existing and new Planning Obligations SPD, including updates to reflect the new Harrow Local Plan, the latest National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the London Plan 2021, and other needs arising since 2013. The thematic chapters of the SPD will be updated to include guidance on housing and affordable housing, transport and highways, public rights of way, public open space, amenity space, children's play space, public art, community safety, the historic environment, employment and training, sustainable design and construction, decentralised energy networks, flood risk, and biodiversity.

Draft West London Waste Plan

The panel will be asked to comment on the draft updated West London Waste Plan (WLWP), which has been prepared by the boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, and Richmond upon Thames, as well as the Old Oak/Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC). The plan sets out how waste will be managed in west London up to 2041.

The report notes that the current WLWP was adopted in 2015 and is now considered out of date. The updated plan will address household, industrial, and commercial (HIC) waste apportionment and management targets for construction and demolition waste set out in the 2021 London Plan.

The report outlines the key elements of the emerging WLWP, including waste arisings, a vision and objectives, WLWP policies, and safeguarded sites. The plan aims to safeguard existing waste sites and ensure sufficient capacity is available to manage expected waste arisings.

The report identifies two sites in Harrow that are safeguarded in the emerging updated WLWP: the Forward Drive Council depot site and 151 Pinner View. Two sites have not been carried forward from the adopted WLWP: CDE Waste Transfer Harrow Paxton Recycling Barratt Way, Wealdstone, and R J Gower & G G Gower Roxeth Green Avenue, South Harrow.

The report also discusses the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) that has been undertaken for the draft WLWP. The IIA assesses the likely environmental, social, and economic effects of the plan.

The report outlines the proposed consultation arrangements for the draft plan, including a dedicated website, information on borough websites, social media, and public events.