Bognor House Could Become Eight-Bedroom HMO

A three-bedroom terraced house in Bognor could be converted into an eight-bedroom house in multiple occupation.

Plans have been submitted to Arun District Council for 21 Longford Road.

If approved, the property would have eight bedrooms, en-suites and shared bathrooms, along with a communal kitchen and dining area.

The proposals include a loft conversion and rear extension.

Documents submitted with the application say the existing property is in ‘bad inhabitable condition’ and is in ‘desperate need of redevelopment’.

The applicant says the property is within walking distance of Bognor train station, bus stops and local shops, and claims the location would encourage residents to use public transport and bicycles.

No off-street parking is proposed.

The plans say there are currently four HMOs within 50 metres of the property, accounting for 5.3% of the 76 homes in the area. That figure would rise to 6.6% if the plans are approved.

Within 100 metres, seven of 136 properties are currently HMOs, or 5.1%. This would increase to 5.9% under the proposals.

The applicant says both figures would remain below the council’s 10% HMO concentration threshold.

The site is within the Pagham Harbour Zone B mitigation area, meaning a Section 106 agreement would be required.

A draft agreement proposes a £974 contribution towards access management.

Arun District Council is due to make a decision by September 29.