8-person HMO at 33 Waverley Crescent, Plumstead, London SE18

What was proposed

The application proposed changing the dwelling into an eight-bedroom, eight-person HMO, with a dormer, altered extension, refuse storage and cycle storage.

“That Full Planning Permission be granted for the change of use from an existing dwelling (Use Class C3) to an 8-bed, 8-person HMO (Use Class Sui Generis), in addition to the demolition of an existing side infill extension, construction of an L-shaped rear dormer, provision of refuse and cycle storage and all other alterations.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was a two-storey mid-terraced dwelling in a mainly residential area, outside a conservation area and in Flood Zone 1.

“The application site consists of a two-storey mid terraced dwellinghouse on the eastern side of Saunders Road. The property has a two-storey outrigger to the rear. The property benefits a single storey rear extension, a single storey side extension and an outbuilding at the rear garden.”

“The subject site is not within a conservation area, is not locally or statutorily listed, nor is subject to a relevant Article 4 Direction. The site is located within Flood Zone 1, indicating a low probability of flooding.”

Officer report

Relevant planning history

A dormer certificate was approved, another HMO application was being processed, and an eight-unit HMO elsewhere was refused and dismissed on appeal.

“Application ref: Description: Decision: 25/3660/F Change of use from an existing dwelling (Use Class C3) to an 6-bed, 6-person HMO (Use Class C4), in addition to the demolition of an existing side infill extension, construction of an L-shaped rear dormer, provision of refuse and cycle storage and all other alterations Still being processed…”

“Application ref: Description: Decision: 25/2185/CP Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) is sought for an L-shaped dormer extension Approved on 27/08/2025”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal would meet housing needs, provide acceptable accommodation and avoid unacceptable effects on neighbours, design or highways.

“The proposed development would provide an HMO which would contribute to meeting the local and strategic housing needs of the Borough and London as a whole.”

“The proposed development would provide an acceptable quality of accommodation for residents.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways and Waste Services raised no objections, while two amenity groups did not respond to consultation.

“The parking survey methodology is considered acceptable. The results indicate that there are streets with high levels of parking stress (i.e. Waverley Road, Griffin Road and Gossage Road) while others (i.e. Waverley Crescent, Ancona Road and Warwick Terrance) have low/moderate levels of parking. Overall, the average parking stress of 64% is considered acceptable and therefore no objections are raised.”

“Waste Services: I have looked at this application, and I am satisfied with the proposal. Waste matters are discussed in the relevant section of this report.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A Senior Principal Planner gave an illustrative presentation, and the committee noted that the applicant held a certificate of lawfulness for the roof extension.

Committee discussion

The Chair proposed adding a condition requiring greater soundproof mitigation because the proposal was an eight-person HMO.

“The Chair proposed that, given it was an 8 person HMO, greater soundproof mitigation was conditions.”

Minutes

The vote

Members voted five in favour, none against and one abstention on granting permission with the additional condition.

“The chair moved directly to the vote, putting the recommendation to grant planning consent with the additional condition to the vote 5 Members in favour 0 Members against 1 Member abstaining…”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted for the HMO and associated works, subject to the report’s conditions and an additional sound insulation and noise mitigation condition.

“That consent be granted subject to the conditions set out at Appendix 2 of the report and the imposition of an additional condition in respect of sound insulation/noise mitigation measures to be detailed in the notice of determination.”

Minutes