Conveyancing in Oxford – Planning control measures

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Fridaysmove ’s residential Conveyancer, Laura Gill acted on the purchase Conveyancing for the purchasers of a home on Shelley Close, Headington, Risinghurst, Oxford, Oxon, OX3. The estate agent was Connells’ Headington branch at 137a London Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX3 9HZ. Acting on behalf of the sellers, was Edward Pilling at 122 London Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 9AG.

The local authority district for this property is Oxford council. A search with the council revealed a direction made under article 4(1) Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended) against the property which means a planning permission is required to change the use of the residence from a dwelling house (class C4) to a house in multiple occupation (class c4).

The council plans to implement a blanket control measure so that all landlords will have to apply for planning permission if they want to establish a new house in multiple occupation, as there is a shortfall in available family accommodation. Once in effect, those wishing to change the permitted use of their property from a dwelling house to a house in multiple occupation will need to obtain planning permission from the council in order to do so.

The article 4 direction was not a great concern to the buyers of this property as they intend to occupy the residence and are not purchasing for the purpose of renting to tenants. For buyers intending to rent, whether to students or young professionals, this would be an inconvenience. However, this is an issue that your Conveyancer can investigate prior to your purchase to ensure that your intended usage for the property is permitted.

This new blanket control could also prove to be disadvantageous for young people wanting to live in the Oxford area as they normally tend to seek shared accommodation which may not be so readily available as a result.

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