Planning application to convert London Road family home into HMO

The road sign on London Road in Bedford
Image: Google Maps copyright Google 2025. Image capture August 2024.

A planning application has been submitted to turn a detached house in Bedford into a shared home for up to four people.

The proposal, submitted to Bedford Borough Council, seeks permission to change the use of 245 London Road from a single-family house to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

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This type of change means the property could be rented by up to four people who are not part of the same household, but share communal areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms.

A similar plan was refused earlier this year (24/01341/COU), with the planning officer stating “The proposed development, by way of its layout and intensity of use, is not considered to offer a healthy living environment for future residents.”

The applicant states that the development was deemed “acceptable in principle” and the new application aims to remove the planning officer’s concerns.

The proposed layout over the two floors includes:

  • Four bedrooms
  • Two bathrooms
  • A kitchen and dining room
  • Off-street parking for four cars

More information can be found on the council’s planning portal, reference 25/01494/COU. The overall consultation expiry date is Friday, 29 August 2025.

by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter

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