Eight-person HMO at 18 Brightwell Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea

“The site is occupied by a two-storey semi-detached property on the east side of Brightwell Avenue. The surrounding area is residential in character. The building was last occupied as a dwellinghouse. The site benefits from a Certificate of Lawfulness (CLP) granted in January 2025 verifying as lawful the change of use of this dwelling to a 6-bed HMO. The current application has been assessed on that basis.”

“The site is not on article 2(3) land or subject to any other planning related designation.”

“24/01901/CLP - Use dwellinghouse (Class C3) as six person HMO (Class C4), alterations to elevations, alterations to elevations (certificate of lawful development - proposed). Granted.”

“25/00167/FUL - Change of use from dwellinghouse to 9 bedroom HMO (class Sui-Generis), erect single storey side extension, bin and cycle storage to rear. Refused.”

“The proposal meets the Essex HMO Standards for an 8 person HMO containing 8, single occupancy rooms with shared living space (each bedroom must be a minimum of 6.51sqm and the communal kitchen/dining/living area a minimum of 28sqm).”

“The proposed shared bathrooms on the first floor measure some 2.25 sqm and 2.5sqm. The sizes of the shared bathrooms meet the Essex HMO standards and are acceptable. Therefore, the previous reason for refusal 02 has been overcome in relation to the size of the bathrooms.”

“Concern that the application has changed three times this year. • Do not think that the property can be used for 8 people because of overcrowding, nuisance, hygiene, parking problems, refuse collections and noise.”

“Private Sector Housing 4.3. No objection.”

“That PLANNING PERMISSION BE GRANTED subject to the following conditions:”

“Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) the development and use of the building as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), subject of this permission, shall not at any time be adapted to enable formation of more than eight (8) bedrooms and the property shall not be occupied by more than eight (8) residents at any one time.”