Rules on conversion of homes into flats in Reading agreed

The town has seen a large number of family homes being converted into flats to cater to students and young professionals.

Once such a conversion takes place, the house effectively becomes a home of multiple occupation (HMO). 

These conversions generally do not require full planning permission, as creating a small HMO of three to four people is considered permitted development. 

However, a local authority such as Reading Borough Council can require an owner to seek planning permission for a conversion if the property is under an 'Article 4 Direction' - a legal tool that allows planning authorities to demand consent for changing the use of buildings. 

The council is seeking to create an expanded Article 4 Direction removing the conversion of houses into small HMOs in a wider area of the town. 

The proposed restrictions cover properties south of Queens Road and north of London Road, Newtown, Northcourt Avenue and the Hexham Road estate.

The proposed new direction was agreed at a meeting of the council's strategic environment, planning and transport committee.

It was acknowledged that while the rule would not be a blanket ban on conversions, it would allow the council oversight and the opportunity to refuse permissions where appropriate.  

Micky Leng (Labour, Whitley), lead councillor for planning, said: “I'm glad that the area is extending, particularly south, mainly east but the south as well, picking up a lot of the old council stock in around Newcastle Rd, Corbridge Road, Hexham Road, Hadrian's Walk East is in there, my nan used to live there.

“What we find is that some of the HMOs in the more architecturally interesting properties sometimes switch back to family homes as more affluent families move in, but I think with us losing a lot of stock to Right to Buy, they've ended up in the hands of private landlords, and that it'll be a long time for them to come back into family houses, so I think it's important that we do protect those sorts of homes as well.

“I'm not gunna drag on, but these Article 4s work, and I know the government is looking at them, because a lot of HMOs can change the characteristics of an area.”

He also mentioned Hilary Kemp, a neighbour who had raised concerns about conversions to HMOs in St Bartholomew's Road. 

Councillor Leng said: “We also recognise that HMOs can be an issue in other parts of the town, and who knows what comes in the future, we may be looking at other areas.”

Welcoming the change, cllr Andrew Hornsby-Smith (Labour, Church), said: “This offers a lot of reassurance, certainly to parts of Church ward, that will be taken into this area, because there have been concerns expressed locally about some of the developments that have been presented for approval.

“It's aimed at preserving neighbourhoods that need preserving from massive character change.”

The Article 4 Direction was unanimously approved at the meeting on November 12. 

Due to procedural rules, the direction will come into effect 12 months after it is made, and is subject to consultation and adjustment by the housing ministry.