SPD 13 - Houses in Multiple Occupation

This Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is aimed at developers and providers of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

This SPD relates to the Council’s planning policy with regard to the conversion of buildings into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO). It should be treated as a significant material planning consideration as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) that provides additional information on the implementation of Policy H2/4 of the Bury Unitary Development Plan (UDP), which deals with this issue, as well as general residential conversions.

Following consultation from 15th December 2025 to 26th January 2026, this SPD was adopted with effect from 30th June 2026.

Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitat Regulations Assessment screening

The Council has undertaken an initial screening of the SPD to determine whether there is need for a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in accordance with Regulation 9 (3) of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 and European Directive 2001/42/EC.

Before making a formal determination in relation to SEA, there is a requirement to consult the three statutory consultation bodies designated in the Regulations (the Environment Agency, Historic England and Natural England) on whether environmental assessment is required. All three bodies have responded to say that they agree with the Council’s conclusions that the draft SPD does not require a Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Similarly, the Council has undertaken a Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) screening assessment of the SPD to determine whether there is a need for a Habitats Regulations Assessment in accordance with Regulation 63 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended)1 and European Directive 92/43/EEC (the Habitats Directive). The Council’s conclusion is that the draft SPD does not require a Habitats Regulations Assessment.

Revocation of SPD13 - Conversion of buildings to Houses in Multiple Occupation (May 2007)

In accordance with Regulation 15 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, notice is hereby given that Bury Council formally revokes the following Supplementary Planning Document (SPD):

• SPD13 – Conversion of buildings to Houses in Multiple Occupation (May 2007)

As required under Regulation 15, following the revocation of the above SPD, the Council will cease to make any physical or digital copies of the documents available.

Article 4 Direction

Please note, the Council has introduced an Article 4 Direction that removes the permitted development rights for the material change of use from a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a small House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4).

This means that planning permission is now required to create any new Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) within the Borough. The Article 4 Direction does not apply retrospectively to existing HMOs.

The Direction applies to the entire Borough of Bury and came into effect on 16 July 2026.

Although the Article 4 Direction takes effect immediately, the Council is required to carry out public consultation before deciding whether to confirm the Article 4 Direction.

Consultation on the Article 4 Direction is taking place from 16 July 2026 until 27 August 2026.

Please see the Article 4 Directions webpage for further details.