Policy information sourced from the Hounslow Local Plan Part 1

SC10 - HOUSING IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION, HOSTELS AND BED & BREAKFAST ACCOMMODATION

Our approach

We will recognise that Housing in Multiple Occupation and the temporary accommodation provided by hostels and bed and breakfast accommodation are a responsive and flexible part of the range of housing provision necessary to meet the needs of individuals and families within the borough, and to support these in locations suitable for more intensive occupancy.

We will achieve this by

  • Supporting proposals for change of use to create new Housing in Multiple Occupation (for six occupiers or more) in appropriate locations (outlined in (d) below) for intensive occupancy, and where these help meet housing need and comply with the required standards;
  • Supporting proposals for temporary accommodation in appropriate locations (outlined in (d) below) including new hostels and bed and breakfast accommodation where these help meet housing need and comply with required standards for registration; and
  • Not requiring the provision of a family-sized ground floor unit in proposals for conversions into HMOs, hostels and bed and breakfast accommodation.

We will expect development proposals to

  • For Housing in Multiple Occupation, hostels and bed and breakfast accommodation, be located within convenient walking distance of town centre facilities and good public transport links;
  • Have a minimum ‘original’ floor area greater than 130sqm to be suitable for conversion into non-family HMO, hostel or bed and breakfast accommodation, where these are located within convenient walking distance of town centre facilities and good public transport links;
  • Include suitable facilities for the storage and collection of waste and recycling in a manner that complies with waste authority guidelines and will not have a serious impact on the character and appearance of the local area; and
  • Demonstrate that proposals together with other similar development in the surrounding area will not have a serious harmful cumulative impact on the character and residential amenity of the area.

For more information please see the Hounslow Local Plan Part 1