Six-to-eight-person HMO at 8 Stephen Street South, Bury

“The property has a flat roof dormer extension on the rear roof slope, which was erected utilising permitted development rights. It also has a rear yard area. The conversion works were completed in September 2025, and the property is currently being let out for occupation, with 4 out of the 6 bedrooms currently rented out.”

“Planning permission is sought for the change of use from an existing 6 bedroom (single occupancy) HMO to a 6 bedroom, 6-8 occupants, HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) (Use Class Sui-Generis). Permission is being sought for 2 more occupants to reside within the property.”

“Description The application site forms the southern end of a row of four, two storey terraced properties on the south-west side of Stephen Street South which is in use as a house in multiple occupancy. It includes a basement and a loft conversion and rear dormer extension.”

“Permitted Fallback Position A dwelling can change to a 6 bed HMO is Permitted Development, as defined by the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is Permitted Development. The applicant has therefore utilised the existing property as a 6 bed HMO without the need for planning permission. This is the permitted fallback position of the property.”

“The applicant has utilised their permitted development right to change the use of the dwelling to a 6 bedroom HMO lawfully and for the rear roof dormer.”

“Statutory/Non-Statutory Consultations Traffic Section - No objections, subject to a condition securing the bin storage facilities shown on the submitted drawings.”

“Adult Care Services - No comments or observations received.”

“Due to Stephen Street South being a small cul-de-sac, even one large HMO has a noticeable impact on the area. The proposed increase would have a disproportionate impact due to the limited size and capacity of the street. Residents are already experiencing higher levels of noise, parking stress and general disruption since the property began operating as a HMO. Increasing occupancy would further erode the balance of this settled residential area.”

“Amenity of neighbouring occupiers UDP Policy H2/4 requires applications for conversion to have regard to the effect on the amenity of the neighbouring properties through noise, visual intrusion, the position of entrances, impact of parking areas, extensions and fire escapes.”

“Highway Safety There are no specific car parking standards for HMO's in SPD11: 'Parking Standards in Bury'. SPD 13: 'The Conversion of Buildings to Houses in Multiple Occupation' gives some general advice. It states that parking and road safety issues will be important considerations when assessing a planning application and any proposal that is considered to have a detrimental impact on highway safety or harm to amenity will not be permitted.”

“The refuse storage facilities and covered and secure cycle storage provision indicated on the approved plans shall be implemented and made available for use prior to the development hereby approved becoming first occupied and shall thereafter remain available at all times.”

“Stephen Street South, Bury, BL8 2NT 5. That the Committee Approved with Conditions the following application in accordance with the reasons put forward by the Development Manager in the report submitted and subject to all other conditions included: -”

“Stephen Street South, Bury, BL8 2NT Change of use from existing 6-bedroom (single occupancy) HMO to 6-bedroom (6-8 occupants) HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) (Use Class Sui Generis)”