Seven-person HMO at 55 Highfield Road, Bournemouth

What was proposed

The application sought to change a six-person HMO into a seven-person HMO and provide bin and cycle stores.

“Change of use from House in Multiple Occupation (Class C4) to seven person House in Multiple Occupation (Sui Generis) and erection of bin and cycle stores…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was a two-storey detached house in a mainly residential area, with rear amenity space but no suitable vehicle access.

“55 Highfield Road is a two-storey detached dwellinghouse in the Ensbury Park area of Bournemouth. The property benefits from a porch to the front and a large rear ground floor extension (approximately 8m) and a large dormer to the rear. The roof is pitched with gable ends to the side and is covered with black concrete pan tiles. The elevations are rendered cream.”

“Hardstanding is laid to the front, side and rear. To the front is a dwarf wall and small garden area. To the rear is a good-sized amenity area and a detached outbuilding. There is no…”

Officer report

Earlier applications and enforcement

The property had a lawful six-person HMO certificate; earlier extension and larger-HMO proposals were refused, while a rear extension was approved.

“7-2025-28954-(TPD). Prior notification procedure - Erection of a single storey rear extension, which would extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by 8.0m, for which the maximum height would be 3.0m and for which the height of the eaves would be 3.0m. Approved 20/02/2025.”

“P/25/03964/CLE. Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for Works to roof, including gable raise, rear dormer, windows to front roof slope. Existing use as a six person House in Multiple Occupation and associated internal alterations. Pending decision.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways and waste officers raised no objections subject to requirements, while Environmental Health provided no comments.

“BCP Environmental Health Environmental Health response has been recorded. No comments provided.”

“BCP Highways – Minor Dev Highways response has been recorded. No objections subject to bicycle parking condition and parking permit informative note.”

Officer report

Objections from residents

Seventeen objections raised concerns about parking, traffic, noise, child safety, character, intensification and harm to neighbouring amenity.

“There is already a severe parking deficit. The volume of traffic would cause child safety issues.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two objectors, the applicant and a ward councillor who objected spoke at the meeting.

The committee’s decision

The committee refused permission, citing harmful intensification, harm to neighbours and failure to secure Heathlands and New Forest mitigation contributions.

“RESOLVED to REFUSE permission contrary to the recommendation set out in the officer’s report for the following summary reasons with delegated authority to the Head of Planning Operations to agree the final detailed wording of the reasons for refusal:”

“Harmful intensification by way of change of use from C4 to sui generis resulting in detrimental impact on character of the area • Intensification harmful to existing neighbouring residential amenity • Failure to secure financial contributions towards Heathlands mitigation and New Forest mitigation…”

Minutes