Approval is being sought for a row of terraced homes in Wigan to be classed as HMOs for up to 20 people

The four houses on St John Street, Pemberton were converted into shared homes for up to five people each in 2019 and have been let to tenants as HMOs since then.

At that time the change of use from a house to a small HMO for between three and six people was classed by Wigan Council as permitted development, so did not require planning permission.

But in August 2025 the council introduced an article four direction, which removed these permitted development rights.

Wigan-based Abbey Properties has requested a certificate of lawful development to confirm that the four properties were converted to HMOs prior to the introduction of the article 4 direction.

Its application states: “The change of use to small HMOs took place in 2019 after due consultation with Wigan Council who also carried out a physical inspection to assess suitability for use as HMOs.

“I retain documentary proof of the consultation and review.

“It was advised that I did not require a licence for up to six people.

“Recommendations to bring the properties up to licensable HMO standard were made by Wigan Council.

“These recommendations were implemented and the buildings have since then been lawfully used as small HMO as was allowed then.

“I understand that a change came about in August 2025, more than six years later, bringing Pemberton area under article four direction. I am advised to apply for an lawful development certificate from Wigan Council.”

The application said each house “has three regular rooms for single occupancy and one large studio room that is used for single or couple”.

It added that occupancy has mostly been four people, or five people at other times due to couples using the studio flat.

The application said: “This was permitted use under the prevailing HMO policy for the Pemberton area that existed and allowed up to six occupants without the need for a licence”.

The applicant said copies of tenancy agreements dating from 2019 had been provided to “demonstrate that use as small HMO started then and continued uninterrupted until now”.

Among the published objections to the application on the council’s planning portal are submissions from Reform UK councillors Gemma Painter and Lee Moffitt.

Coun Painter said: “I have concerns over this for a couple of reasons.

“As per the Wigan Council HMO supplementary planning document (SPD) states that there restrictions for no more than three adjacent properties being used as a HMO.

“This application states four terrace properties and therefore would not meet requirements .

“The owner has also confirmed in the application that the property has been used to house five people during the period since 2019 to date. Yet no HMO licence is in place.

“As stated in the SPD all properties that are occupied by five people or more are subject to mandatory HMO licensing.

“The fact that the HMO has been allowed to be used during the period housing five occupants with no licence would suggest the council have lost complete control of the HMO situation in the borough.”

A decision on the application will be made by Wigan Council in the coming weeks.