Plans to formally approve the status of a Darlington building as a HMO have been lodged with the council.

An application for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) for the property at 35 North Lodge Terrace, Darlington, was submitted on October 22, 2024.

The property was converted into a seven-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in June 2004, according to the application.

Made by property owner Darren Beattie, the application seeks to confirm that this long-established use is lawful due to the time elapsed since the conversion.

Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the property has consistently been used as a seven-bedroom HMO since the change of use, with no material changes occurring.

Application forms argue there have been no breaches of planning conditions and no interruptions in residential occupancy.

The HMO use began more than 10 years ago, on June 8, 2004, and has continued uninterrupted since then.

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The site can be viewed from a public road, footpath, or public land, allowing the planning authority to conduct a site visit if needed.

In a letter from Darlington Borough Council in 2005, the property was confirmed to have been inspected in June 2004 and was classed as a House in Multiple Occupation under the Definition of the Housing Act 1985.

The letter further stated that the property met all conditions of Darlington Borough Council's Registration Scheme 1999 and was added to the Scheme on June 8, 2004.

The letter, however, noted that due to problems of system administration, it had not been possible to issue any HMO Registration Certificates since May 2004.

Andrew Thomas, from Elite Dwellings Ltd, signed the declaration on behalf of the applicant, confirming the facts provided to be true to the best of their knowledge.