In July, Cllr Liam Thomson and Cllr Mark Poulton put a motion to Full Council asking for an Article 4 Direction across every ward in Burnley, so that turning a family home into a small house in multiple occupation (HMO) would need planning permission everywhere, not just in some wards. We wrote about what happened to that motion in August.
The next step is now under way, and it needs residents to take part.
What is being consulted on
On 25 September Burnley Council opened a six-week public consultation on removing permitted development rights for small HMOs (homes shared by three to six people who are not one family) in the six wards not covered by the 2024 direction:
- Briercliffe
- Cliviger with Worsthorne
- Coalclough with Deerplay
- Hapton with Park
- Lanehead
- Whittlefield with Ightenhill
In the council’s words, the change “if confirmed, would mean that the whole of the borough is covered.” Larger HMOs already need planning permission.
How to respond
The consultation closes on 6 November. The council’s preferred route is email to [email protected]. You can also write to Burnley Borough Council, Economy and Growth, Town Hall, Burnley, BB11 9SA. Full details are on the council’s Article 4 page.
What happens after
The council says a report will go to its Executive in spring 2027 to consider the responses and decide whether to confirm the direction. If confirmed, it would come into force from September 2027.
We welcome the consultation. It is what our motion asked for. If you live in one of these six wards and have a view, please send it in before 6 November: the decision will rest on what residents say.
