Policy information sourced from Barking and Dagenham Borough Wide Development Policies DPD
POLICY BC4: RESIDENTIAL CONVERSIONS AND HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION
Changes of Use from Housing and Subdivision of Larger Homes
The Council is seeking to preserve and increase the stock of family housing in the Borough. Consequently, when planning permission is required, the Council will resist proposals which involve the loss of housing with three bedrooms or more.
Other proposals for flat conversions or homes in multiple occupation (HMOs) will only be considered acceptable provided that:
- The number of houses that have been converted to flats and / or HMOs in any road (including unimplemented but still valid planning permissions) does not exceed 10% of the total number of houses in the road. No two adjacent properties apart from dwellings that are separated by a road should be converted.
- No significant loss of character or amenity occurs to the area as a result of increased traffic, noise and/or general disturbance.
- Regard is had to the appropriate design, transportation, and internal and external amenity space standards policies.
- The internal space standards required by Policy BP6 can be met for all of the proposed new dwelling units.
- Adequate space is provided to store refuse and recycling ready for collection.
Changes of Use from Other Uses to Residential
Conversions from non-residential to residential uses are generally acceptable in buildings in areas which are not specifically allocated or safeguarded for another purpose (such as employment use, retail use or community use). In primary and secondary retail frontages in designated town centres conversions to residential uses will generally be acceptable above ground floor shopping frontages.
For more information please see the Borough Wide Development Policies DPD