Council goes to court to block another HMO on Fishermead

A council enforcement officer inspected the property last week and found it being converted to what was considered to be a HMO.

The council quickly applied to Milton Keynes County Court for an Interim Injunction to prohibit this use.

A council spokesman said: “In March 2015 Mr Eric Tchambak was refused planning permission to convert 12 Perran Avenue, Fishermead into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) which was contrary to the Councils’ Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document required to preserve the character of the area.”

Under the guidelines for HMOs in MK the Council retained the right to restrict the number of HMOs when it was considered to be detrimental to the residential character. The cut-off figure is more than 35% in any one area.

Officers will now be applying for a full Injunction when the matter is next listed before the Court on the 26 April. 

Senior enforcement officer for MK Council, Richard Proctor, said: “The council is happy to consider any application for a HMO but development needs to be balanced across the borough and not just concentrated in any one area.”

He added: “We would urge anybody who wants to convert a house to an HMO to contact the Council first to make sure that their proposed location is likely to be acceptable. There is no fee for this advice. ”

Anybody needing advice should call planning on 01908 252358.