Six-person HMO at 103 Mcleod Road, Abbey Wood, London SE2

What was proposed

The application sought a six-bedroom, six-person HMO with a rear extension, rear dormer, cycle storage, refuse storage and associated works.

“That Full Planning Permission be granted for change of use from an existing single-family dwellinghouse (Use Class C4) to a 6-bed, 6-person HMO (Use Class C4), in addition to a single storey rear extension, rear dormer, provision of cycle and refuse storage and all other associated works.”

“Subject to the conditions (Appendix 2) to be detailed in the notice of determination.”

Officer report

The site

The site contains a two-storey end-of-terrace dwelling in a mainly residential area, with a front garden, rear yard and no heritage designation.

“The site is located on the northern side of Mcleod Road and contains an existing two-storey end of terraced dwelling, with a small front garden and a rear yard.”

“The application site is not located within a Conservation Area and does not relate to a listed building. No relevant Article 4 Directions are applicable to the site.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier certificate application was refused because the proposed rear extension was not permitted development, while officers identified a fallback position for the roof alterations.

“App Number: 25/1940/CP Decision: Refused Decision Date: 06/08/2025 Address: MCLEOD ROAD, ABBEY WOOD, LONDON, SE2 0BW Description: Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) is sought for Single-storey rear extension and rear dormer extension with front rooflights Reason for refusal The eaves of the proposed extension would exceed 3.0m in height, as such the proposed development fails to comply with criteria A.1(i) of Schedule 2, Part 1, Class A of The Town and Country Planning…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two local residents spoke against the application, while the applicant’s agent supported the conversion and described proposed management and mitigation measures.

Members’ discussion

Members heard that there was no over-concentration policy, the dormer had a permitted-development fallback, and management conditions could address disturbance and parking.

“The council did not currently have an over concentration policy so assessment was done on a site -by -site basis. Issues concerning noise and disturbance were not considered to be unacceptable and could be conditioned by the operational management plan. One more bin would be required in the front area and this was considered acceptable. There were currently no licensed HMOs on this road but there were 3 approved planning applications for conversions.”

“No parking survey had been submitted as the area was within a controlled parking zone. If members were minded to approve, a condition could be imposed to ensure that it was car free and removed the right to apply for a parking permit. There was also a condition that prior to occupation an operational management plan would need to be submitted to the Local Authority which would need to include details as to how the property would…”

Minutes

The vote

Four members voted for the recommendation, two voted against it and one abstained.

“The Chair put the recommendation is to grant full planning permission for the change of use from an existing single-family dwellinghouse (Use Class C4) to a 6-bed, 6-person HMO (Use Class C4), to the vote, and with 4 Members voted in favour…”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted for the HMO and associated works, subject to conditions including car-free occupation and no parking permits.

“That consent is subject to the conditions as set out in Appendix 2 of the main report, to be detailed in the notice of determination to include the condition that the development will be car-free, and to ensure no future occupiers are eligible for parking permits.”

Minutes