Plans have been submitted to convert a residential property on Walton Street in Long Eaton into a six-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO).
The application relates to 57 Walton Street, Long Eaton, and seeks a Certificate of Lawful Development to confirm that the proposed change of use can take place without the need for full planning permission.
According to the planning documents, the property is currently classed as a C3 dwellinghouse and would be converted into a six-person, six-bedroom HMO (Use Class C4).
What is being proposed
Plans submitted with the application show internal alterations to create six bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, alongside shared kitchen, dining and living space. The accommodation would be arranged across three floors, including the use of loft space.
The applicant states that the proposal has been designed in line with the DASH Landlord Guide for Amenities and Space in HMOs, which sets minimum standards for room sizes and facilities.
No changes are proposed to the building’s use beyond the internal conversion, and the application does not seek permission for a larger HMO falling outside C4 use.
Why no full planning application is required
Under national planning rules, a change of use from C3 (dwellinghouse) to C4 (small HMO for up to six people) is classed as permitted development, unless restrictions such as an Article 4 Direction are in place.
As a result, the applicant is applying for a Lawful Development Certificate rather than full planning permission. This type of application is used to confirm whether a proposal is lawful under existing planning legislation.
The planning statement submitted with the application argues that the change of use meets all permitted development criteria and should therefore be approved.
Location and next steps
A site location plan included in the submission confirms the property’s position on Walton Street, close to existing residential housing and nearby commercial premises.
The application will be assessed by Erewash Borough Council to determine whether the proposed use qualifies as lawful development. If approved, the conversion could proceed without further planning consent.
As with all lawful development applications, the decision focuses on planning law and use classes, rather than wider policy considerations such as parking demand or concentration of HMOs.