Hackney Council has refused planning permission for two Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) applications, citing concerns over substandard living conditions that would be detrimental to the living conditions of future occupiers.
The Planning Sub-Committee convened on 5 November 2025, and voted to refuse applications for HMOs at 9 Clifden Road and 12 Blurton Road.
9 Clifden Road
The committee refused application 2025/0760, which sought to change the use of the property from a 6-bed HMO (Class C4) to a 7-bed HMO (Sui-Generis). Six members voted against the officer's recommendation to grant planning permission. Councillor Jon Narcross, Vice-Chair of the Planning Sub-Committee, proposed a motion to refuse the proposal, which was seconded by Councillor Clare Potter.
The primary reason for refusal was the sub-standard quality of accommodation, which the committee felt would be detrimental to the living conditions of future occupiers. This was considered to be in conflict with policies LP1 and LP22 of the Hackney Local Plan 2033 (2020). While the specific requirements of policies LP1 and LP22 that were not met are not detailed in the meeting information, the core issue was the unsuitability of the proposed living conditions.
It was also noted that a previous application (2024/1042) for change of use from Dwellinghouse (C3 use) to 7 bed HMO (Sui Generis use), erection of single storey side/rear extension and mansard roof extension was refused on 24 July 2024, and the subsequent appeal (APP/U5360/W/24/3352804) was dismissed on 24 April 2025.
12 Blurton Road
Application 2025/0840 for the use of the property as a 9-bedroom, 9-person large HMO (Use Class Sui Generis) with a mansard roof extension (part retrospective) and the provision of cycle and refuse storage was also refused. Six Planning Sub-Committee members voted against the officer's recommendation, with one abstention. Councillor Ali Sadek proposed a motion to refuse the proposal, which was seconded by Councillor Jon Narcross.
The reasons for refusal were the same as for 9 Clifden Road: the sub-standard quality of accommodation proposed would be detrimental to the living conditions of future occupiers, conflicting with policies LP1 and LP22 of the Hackney Local Plan 2033 (2020). As with the Clifden Road application, the specific aspects of policies LP1 and LP22 that were contravened were not specified, but the overall concern remained the unacceptable living conditions.
Multiple previous applications for HMOs at 12 Blurton Road (2024/2494, 2024/1901, and 2024/0563) were also refused. However, application 2025/0665 for the erection of a mansard roof extension (part retrospective) was granted on 13 May 2025.
The Agenda frontsheet for the meeting indicates that Councillors Jessica Webb, Michael Desmond, Humaira Garasia, Michael Levy, Sheila Suso-Runge, Ifraax Samatar and Penny Wrout were also members of the sub-committee.