20 Marle Hill Road Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL50 4LP

1. 1.The site is located in St. Pauls ward, an area subject to an Article 4 Direction which removes permitted development rights for the conversion of a dwelling to a Class 4 House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The Article 4 Direction came into force on 11th June 2020. Cheltenham Plan policy HM5 advises that within St. Pauls ward, planning permission for a change of use from a dwelling to a Class C4 HMO will be granted only where: a) the proportion of HMO dwellings within a 100 metre radius of the application site would not exceed 10% of all residential properties; b) it would not result in the creation of more than two adjacent properties in a HMO use; and c) would not have an adverse impact on the amenity of nearby properties. In this case, having calculated the percentage of existing HMO properties within a 100m radius of the application property, based on the results of a biennial survey published on the Council's website, the figure is approximately 34%. In addition, the adjoining properties, nos. 18 and 22 Marle Hill Road, are identified in the biennial survey as being in use as HMOs, and therefore the proposal would also result in the creation of more than two adjacent properties in a HMO use. Moreover, the exceptional circumstances set out within the policy are not met, as there is no evidence to suggest that there is no market demand for the use of the property as a single dwelling. As such, the proposed change of use of the dwelling to a HMO within Class C4 would be clearly contrary to adopted policy HM5 of the Cheltenham Plan (2020). PLANNING : PLACE AND GROWTH CHELTENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL • P.O. BOX 12 • MUNICIPAL OFFICES • PROMENADE • CHELTENHAM • GLOS • GL50 1PP This decision notice should be read in accordance with the Planning Officer’s Report which details the material considerations relevant to the proposal and the reasons for the decision made.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

GL50 4LP

Date validated

23 December 2025

Applicant

Private applicant

Case officer

Nidhi Modi