Eastbourne Borough Council has launched a consultation to seek feedback from local residents, businesses and other stakeholders on new guidance relating to how adopted planning policies should be used in the determination of planning applications for new or converted HMOs in order to address issues associated with this type of housing.

HMOs form an important part of the housing mix within Eastbourne as they increase the range and mix of accommodation, particularly for those on lower incomes. However, over recent years there has been growing concern that a proliferation of HMOs, particularly in concentrated areas, has led to adverse impacts on local communities. The Council is seeking to take intervention actions through the planning system to address the impacts caused by HMOs in the town.

The HMO Supplementary Planning Document will provide guidance on how existing adopted planning policies can be applied to the determination of planning applications in a way that balances the need for HMO accommodation to provide much needed new housing options, with seeking to address concerns relating to the proliferation of HMOs and the impacts that this has on residents and local communities.

You can access the Consultation Portal directly by clicking on the ‘Participate in this consultation’ link below. More detailed information on the HMO Supplementary Planning Document is available via the Council’s consultation portal: https://planningpolicyconsult.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/HMO_SPD

The HMO Supplementary Planning Document is now being published consultation with the local community and other stakeholders. The consultation is open for an 8-week period between Friday 28th February 2025 and Friday 25th April 2025. All consultation responses should be received by 5pm on Friday 25th April 2025.

How to respond:

The easiest way to have your say on the HMO Supplementary Planning Document is via our on-line Consultation Portal, where your comments will be submitted directly to us for consideration: https://planningpolicyconsult.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/HMO_SPD

Other ways to respond to the consultation:

• Emailing comments to [email protected]
• Writing to the Borough Council at the following address: Planning Policy, Eastbourne Borough Council, Eastbourne Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4UH

Paper copies of the HMO Supplementary Planning Document and supporting documentation are also available to view at the Eastbourne Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4UH.

If you have any queries about this consultation, please do not hesitate to contact the Planning Policy Team via email at [email protected] or by telephone on 01323 410000 quoting ‘Eastbourne Planning Policy’.

Please note that this email invitation to participate in the consultation will expire in 28 days, however you will still be able to access and comment on the consultation until Friday 25th April 2025 via our Consultation Portal: https://planningpolicyconsult.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/HMO_SPD

You have received this invitation because you have previously requested to be kept informed about planning policy consultations consultation by Eastbourne Borough Council, or have previously submitted a response to a planning policy consultation by Eastbourne Borough Council. If you would like to be removed from our mailing list, please email [email protected]to confirm this.