New guidance supports affordable housing

People looking for affordable, flexible housing and residents living in Bury's neighbourhoods will benefit from new guidance adopted by Bury Council to support sustainable, inclusive growth across the borough.

The new Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) recognises the important role HMOs play in providing accommodation for young professionals, key workers, people on lower incomes and those with short-term housing needs.

The guidance will help ensure future HMOs are well-designed and well-managed, supporting housing choice while protecting the character, wellbeing and balance of local communities.

The new SPD introduces clear planning criteria to help prevent excessive concentrations of HMOs. These include a 10% concentration threshold within a 100-metre radius, measures to prevent single-family homes from being “sandwiched” between HMOs, and restrictions on creating three or more adjacent HMOs.

At the same time, the SPD seeks to address concerns associated with poorly located or over-concentrated HMOs, such as parking pressures, noise, waste management issues and the loss of balanced communities.

The document sets out expectations for the design and management of HMOs, including minimum space standards, provision of outdoor amenity space, waste and recycling arrangements, cycle storage, parking, fire safety, and management plans. These requirements are intended to ensure a good standard of accommodation for residents and minimise impacts on neighbouring properties.

The adoption of the SPD coincides with the Council’s introduction of an Article 4 Direction for smaller HMO which has the effect of removing permitted development rights for proposals for the conversion of a house into a smaller HMO for up to six people.

The introduction of the Article 4 Direction, which came into effect on 16 July, means that those seeking to convert a house into a smaller HMO will be required to obtain planning permission to undertake the works. Proposals for HMOs for seven or more people already require planning permission and will therefore be unaffected by this Direction.

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.

Councillor Eamonn O'Brien, Leader of Bury Council, said “Houses in Multiple Occupation play an important role in meeting local housing needs by providing flexible and affordable accommodation for a wide range of residents. However, it is equally important that HMOs are located and managed in a way that protects the character of our neighbourhoods and the quality of life of existing residents. The introduction of the Article 4 Direction alongside the new SPD provides clear guidance for applicants, developers and landlords, helping to ensure that future HMOs are well-designed, well-managed and contribute positively to balanced and sustainable communities across Bury.”

As material planning considerations, the new SPD will be used in the determination of planning applications for HMOs throughout the borough.

For more information on the SPD, visit the

https://www.bury.gov.uk/planni...