Five-bedroom HMO at 39 Cowling Brow, Chorley

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission to change a two-bedroom dwelling into a five-bedroom house in multiple occupation.

“Proposal: Change of use of a 2 bedroom dwelling to a 5 bedroom HMO (retrospective)”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The end-terrace dwelling has no private parking, a small rear yard and lies in a mainly residential urban area.

“The application site is located within the settlement area of Chorley as defined by the Chorley Local Plan 2012-2026 on the northern side of Cowling Brow and to the east of Brownley Street due to the property being an end terrace property. The site comprises a 2 bedroomed dwellinghouse, with a small rear yard area that is currently used for bin relocation. The property has no in curtilage parking.”

Officer report

Why permission was needed

The completed works crossed the introduction of an Article 4 area, so planning permission was required for the use.

“It is to be noted that the application is retrospective as the project is now complete, the works were started before and completed after the Article 4 area was introduced earlier this year, as a result, a planning application for this use was required.”

“It is to be noted that the proposal would have been permitted development prior to the introduction of the borough wide Article 4 Direction in September 2025, which removes Permitted Development Rights for the Change of Use from Use Class C3 (Dwellinghouses) to Use Class C4 (Houses in Multiple Occupation). As such the development requires planning permission to be sought.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways reported no significant impact, while environmental health raised no objection and referred the applicant to HMO standards and licensing.

“Lancashire County Council (LCC) Highway Services – Have commented stating that the proposal will not have a significant impact upon highway safety, capacity or amenity in the immediate vicinity of the site. The comments provided will be further explored in the relevant section of the report.”

“Chorley Council’s Environmental Health Officer – Commented stating that they have no objection to the application, however the applicant is advised to consult Chorley Councils website for detailed guidance on HMOs, specifically the "Houses in Multiple Occupation Guide & Amenity Standard 2024". This document sets out the minimum space, facility and management standards expected for HMOs.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The public speakers were an objector and a ward councillor.

The committee vote

The committee unanimously resolved to refuse planning permission after consideration of the application.

“After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Alan Whittaker, seconded by Councillor Katie Wilkie and resolved (unanimously) that planning permission be refused for the following reason:”

Minutes