Retrospective Change of Use from a Hostel to an HMO

After receiving an enforcement notice and with the threat of legal action pending, the client contacted Planning By Design regarding a retrospective change of use from a Hostel (Use Class Suis Generis) to an HMO (Use Class C4). Following a planning appraisal with one of our chartered town planners, it was determined that the retrospective change of use was feasible and would require full planning permission.

One of our chartered architects prepared the necessary architect drawings, which the client approved. Following the approved architectural design, one of our chartered town planners prepared the required planning statement, to justify why the council should approve the application. With the clients approval, the architect drawings and planning statement were submitted with an application for full planning permission for the retrospective change of use.

Planning permission has now been approved for a retrospective change of use from a Hostel (Use Class Suis Generis) to an HMO (Use Class C4). This means the client can now resume and continue to use the property for the new use and will no longer be at risk of enforcement action. They also now will not face any issues when it comes to re-mortaging, insuring or selling the property in the future.