Four-bedroom house in multiple occupation at 12 Ewing Street, Londonderry

The site and surroundings

The site is a two-storey mid-terrace dwelling in a high-density residential area near the city centre, with no private parking.

“Si te and Surrounding Area 4.1 The application site is 12 Ewing Street which contains a two storey mid-terrace dwelling with a two storey rear return. The dwelling is a red brick building with white painted surrounds to the window and door openings and flat blue/black roof tiles. It has pvc windows, doors and rain water goods. The site has a small rear yard with steps down to a gate which opens onto a laneway to the rear of the properties on Ewing Street.”

Officer report

Officers recommended approval

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions after considering planning policies, consultation responses, representations and planning history.

“Conclusion and Recommendation 12.1 Having considered all material considerations, including the relevant planning policies within the local development plan, relevant planning history, consultations and representations etc. approval is recommended subject to the conditions outlined in paragraph 13.0 below.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

The proposal would be the first HMO on the street, remain within the 30% limit, provide four bedrooms and retain residential use.

“Policy HOU 13 of the LDP states that in the transition period until the Local Policies Plan is adopted, the Council will not permit more than 30% of any of the houses within any street to be granted for further HMO development. Ewing Street comprises 32 dwellings and 1 flat at 10a Ewing Street.”

“Th e internal layout of the proposal, as indicated on the proposed floor plans in Figure 3 below, indicates the property will have a living/dining room, kitchen, shower room, wc and four bedrooms. The HMO will be self-contained in accordance with the third criteria. • The HMO is not wholly in the rear of the property without access to the public street in accordance with the fourth criteria.”

Officer report

Consultees’ responses

DFI Roads raised no objection, while Environmental Health advised on sound, waste, property management and HMO legislation.

“Derr y Area Plan 2011 (maps only) 8.2 Supplementary Planning Guidance : •Draft SPG - General Development Management Policy (GDPOL 1) •Draft SPG - Houses in Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) •Parking Standards 9.0 Co nsultee Responses •DFI Roads – no objection •Environmental Health provide advice regarding internal transmission of sound, waste storage and disposal arrangements, property management, HMO legislation.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application, and Councillor Logue proposed approval, seconded by Councillor Murphy.

The decision

The committee approved the application subject to the conditions set out in the planning report.

“LA11/2025/0595/F - Proposed change of use from a dwelling in single family use to house in multiple occupation (4 bed) at 12 Ewing Street, Londonderry, BT48 6ST The Senior Planning Officer presented the above application, details of which were previously circulated to Members.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The HMO is limited to four bedrooms, must follow the approved drawings and must begin within five years.

“The HMO hereby approved shall be limited to four bedrooms, in accordance with the approved Drawing 06 published on the public planning register on 27 August 2025, and there shall be no sub-division of the bedrooms or other rooms for the purposes of providing additional bedrooms in this property. Reason: To ensure the number of HMO beds does not increase above four in this property and to ensure it maintains the established residential character of the area.”

“Subject to the above conditions, the development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved Drawings 01, 02, 03 and 06 as published on the public planning register on 27 August 2025 and Drawings 04 Rev 1 and 05 Rev 1 as published on the public planning register on 3 October 2025. Reason: To ensure the development is carried out in accordance with the approved plans.”

Officer report