Four-bedroom shared house at 24 Ernest Street, Londonderry

What was proposed

Permission was sought to change a single-family dwelling into a four-bedroom house in multiple occupation.

“PROPOSAL: Change of Use from single family dwelling to house in multiple occupation (4 bed)”

“Description of Proposed Development Full Planning Permission is sought for the change of use from single-family dwelling to house in multiple occupation (4 bed).”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The property is a two-storey end-terrace Victorian dwelling in a high-density residential area, with on-street parking and no in-curtilage parking.

“Ernest Street is a two-storey end-terrace Victorian dwelling, with render finish and pitched roof with flat blue/black roof tiles. The dwelling has pvc windows, doors and rain water goods with painted surrounds to the window and door openings with single storey bay window to the front and two storey rear return with pitched roof. The site is flat with a small front garden enclosed by a matching wall approx.”

“Ernest Street and the surrounding streets have on street parking. The site is located within a high density residential area close to the Central Area of the city. The surrounding area comprises a mix of similar house types abutting all boundaries of the application site.”

Officer report

Planning history

Extensions and alterations to the property were approved in 1976 and 1989, while a four-bedroom HMO at 21 Ernest Street was approved in 2022.

“Planning History Application site: Extensions and alterations to existing property approved in 1976 and 1989. A/1976/0280”

“Ernest Street Planning Reference: LA11/2022/0789/F Description: Retention of change of use from single family use to house in multiple occupation (4 bedroom) Location: Ernest Street, Rosemount, Derry, BT48 0HB Decision Date: Permission Granted (29 th September 2022)”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval after considering planning policies, history, consultations and representations.

“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. See proposed conditions below.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health raised no objection, and DFI Roads raised no objection while noting limited parking capacity nearby.

“Environmental Health - No objections, DFI Roads- No objection but notes there is limited parking capacity in the surrounding area.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application, and the applicant spoke in support of approval.

The committee vote

Councillors Gallagher and Jackson proposed and seconded approval, and the vote was unanimous.

“Members accepted speaking rights from [the applicant] (Applicant) who outlined reasons to support the recommendation to approve planning permission. Councillor Gallagher Proposed, Seconded by Councillor Jackson to support the Officer recommendation to approve planning permission, subject to conditions as outlined within the report. The outcome of the vote was unanimous in support of the Proposal.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The permission limits the HMO to four bedrooms, prevents further subdivision and requires development to follow the approved drawings.

“The HMO hereby approved, and in accordance with the approved floorplans on Drawing No 06 which was published on the public register on 23 rd September 2025, shall be limited to four bedrooms and there shall be no sub-division of the bedrooms or other rooms for the purposes of providing additional bedrooms in this property.”

“Subject to the above conditions, the development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved Drawings No’s 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 Rev 1, 06, 07 and 08 Rev1 published on the public register on 23 rd September 2025. Reason: To ensure the development is carried out in accordance with the approved plans.”

Officer report