Ridgeway Gardens, Ilford

This project involved the change of use of an existing residential dwelling from Use Class C3 to a small House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4) at 17 Ridgeway Gardens, Ilford, IG4 5HJ, pursued through an Existing Use Lawful Development Certificate.

Prior to instructing B.E.L Group, the client had submitted an application through another company which was subsequently refused. Following that refusal, the client approached us to review the planning history, assess the existing use of the property and identify a more appropriate route forward.

After reviewing the circumstances of the case, we advised that the existing HMO use should be regularised through an Existing Use Lawful Development Certificate, rather than relying on a conventional planning application.

The property was already being occupied as a small HMO, and the application therefore focused on demonstrating the established and continuous nature of the C4 use. We reviewed the available evidence, planning history, occupation arrangements, number of residents and internal layout, and structured the information in a clear and coherent way so that the Local Planning Authority could properly understand the history and nature of the use.

B.E.L Group prepared the necessary architectural drawings together with the supporting planning case and application documentation, ensuring that the evidence was presented clearly against the relevant lawful development requirements.

At the same time as our application was being considered, the client also had an ongoing appeal relating to the previously refused application. Our Existing Use Lawful Development Certificate application was successfully determined as lawful, and the Council formally confirmed the C4 small HMO use.

As the client had achieved the required outcome through B.E.L Group’s application, the outstanding appeal was no longer necessary and was subsequently withdrawn.

This project demonstrates B.E.L Group’s ability to take on previously unsuccessful cases, reassess the planning strategy, gather and present evidence effectively, and identify a more suitable route to regularise an established use, ultimately securing a successful outcome for the client.