New Rules for Multiple-occupancy Houses in Ribble Valley

And if you want to comment on the new rules you can do so until Friday, September 18.

Ribble Valley Borough Council has introduced the new rules to help manage the distribution and quality of HMOs across the borough.

The decision, approved by the council’s Planning and Development Committee, means that an ‘Article 4 direction’ is now in force.

It means that anyone who wants to turn a regular house in Ribble Valley into an HMO for between three and six unrelated people sharing a kitchen or bathroom now needs to apply for planning permission.

Previously, these changes could be made without planning permission under ‘permitted development rights’.

The new directive has removed that right, which will enable the council to ensure each HMO is properly managed and offers good living standards.

It also means future planning policies, including the Local Plan, will automatically apply to small HMOs, which did not previously need planning permission.

And planning permission will only be granted when the HMO is suitable and meets local housing needs.

Although the directive has come into force immediately, it is subject to a 21-day statutory consultation and all comments will be considered before it is rubber-stamped.

You can send your views to planning.policy@ribblevalley.gov.uk by 5pm on Friday September 18.

You can also view a copy of the directive at Council Offices, Church Walk, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 2RA, between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Read more about these changes at Article 4 Direction – Ribble Valley Borough Council.