Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 24, 2025

Purpose: Cabinet to consider and recommend to Council the making of Immediate and Non-Immediate Article 4 Directions in Wisbech which will give the Local Planning Authority (LPA) the ability to properly consider the implications of all new HMOs that are created, avoid excessive concentrations of HMOs in particular areas and continue to monitor their distribution and effects on the wider area.  

Content: AGREED to recommend to Council that they:   ·         Approve the making of a direction under article 4(1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) having non-immediate effect for Wisbech Town apart from the excluded areas (the excluded areas being Wisbech Riverside and Wisbech South wards) withdrawing the permitted development right to change use from a dwelling house (Class C3) to a small HMO (Class 4) use as set out in Schedule 1. ·         Approve the making of a direction under article 4(1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) having immediate effect for the area of Wisbech Riverside and Wisbech South wards withdrawing the permitted development right to change use from a dwelling house (Class C3) to a small HMO (Class 4) use as set out in Schedule 2. ·         Delegate the implementation of the consultation process and final approval of the Immediate and Non-Immediate Article 4 Directions to the Corporate Director & Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing & Licensing and the Portfolio Holder for Planning & Flooding. ·         Endorse the production of additional guidance to ensure the planning policy approach for assessing planning applications from Class C3 to C4 is clearly set out.