Welling Hadlow Road Five-Bed HMO Plan to Bexley Council, 2026

Key Points

• A planning application has been submitted to Bexley Council to convert 45 Hadlow Road, Welling, from a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a five-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO – Sui Generis) for up to five occupants.
• The property is an existing two-storey end-terrace house with no proposed external changes, extensions, or structural alterations.
• Internal reconfiguration would create two double bedrooms, three single bedrooms (10.1 to 15 square metres each), a 17-square-metre communal kitchen, and living area.
• Three bedrooms would have en-suite bathrooms; others would share facilities, including access to a 97-square-metre rear garden.
• Cycle storage and parking for at least two vehicles available on the driveway; additional on-street parking on Hadlow Road.
• Planning documents state no impact on the residential area’s character, neighbouring properties, flood risk, or waste generation.
• The proposal aims to provide shared accommodation and contribute to local housing supply; Bexley Council to assess before deciding.

Bexley Council (South London Local News) – April 23, 2026 –Welling, Bexley – Bexley Council has received a planning application to convert the property at 45 Hadlow Road from a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a house in multiple occupation (HMO – Sui Generis) for up to five occupants. The submission seeks permission for internal reconfiguration without any external alterations. This development targets renters needing individual bedrooms with shared facilities.

What is the Proposed Change at 45 Hadlow Road?

An HMO is defined as a property where residents have their own bedrooms but share facilities such as kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. They are commonly used by young professionals, students, and other renters looking for individual rooms.

The application specifies reconfiguration of the existing two-storey end-terrace property to provide two double bedrooms and three single bedrooms.

Planning documents detail that all bedrooms would meet or exceed minimum space standards, with sizes ranging from 10.1 to 15 square metres.

A communal kitchen measuring around 17 square metres is proposed, designed to accommodate all residents, alongside a communal living area.

Three of the bedrooms would include en-suite bathrooms, while the remaining rooms would have access to shared facilities within the property.

The plans do not include any extensions, structural alterations, or external changes to the building. From the street, the property would appear unchanged, with no new openings or alterations affecting its appearance or the surrounding street scene.

How Will Parking and Outdoor Space Be Managed?

At the front of the property, space would be available for cycle storage within the driveway area, which is also capable of accommodating at least two vehicles. Additional on-street parking along Hadlow Road may also be used by residents.

The property includes a rear garden of around 97 square metres, which would serve as shared outdoor amenity space for occupants.

Existing waste and recycling arrangements would remain in place. The application states that waste generation is not expected to exceed previous levels. Supporting documents include floor plans, elevation drawings, and site plans.

What Impacts Does the Application Claim to Avoid?

Planning documents argue the proposal would not harm the character of the residential area or result in significant impacts on neighbouring properties. The application states:

“All proposed works are internal and therefore will not impact the surrounding environment, nearby watercourses, or increase any flood risk.”

No details on neighbour consultations or objections were included in the submitted information.

The statement adds the proposal would

“provide an alternative form of housing for individuals who require shared accommodation”

and contribute to local housing supply. Bexley Council will now assess the application before making a decision on whether the change of use can go ahead.

Why Are HMOs Common in Areas Like Welling?

Houses in multiple occupation serve a key role in providing affordable rental options in suburban London boroughs like Bexley.

The shift from Use Class C3 (dwellinghouse) to Sui Generis for five or more occupants reflects national planning rules under the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order. Such conversions often arise amid housing demand from commuters, workers, and those unable to afford standalone rentals.

In Bexley, planning authorities review HMOs for compliance with space standards, amenity provision, and neighbourhood effects.

This application emphasises internal works only, aligning with prior approvals in the borough for similar changes where external impacts are minimal.

What Supporting Documents Accompany the Application?

The submission includes detailed floor plans showing bedroom layouts, en-suites, kitchen, and living spaces. Elevation drawings confirm no external modifications. Site plans outline the driveway, garden, and access arrangements. These materials demonstrate adherence to size requirements and shared facility provisions.

The application reference is not specified in the available details, but it follows Bexley Council’s standard process for public viewing and comment via their online portal.

Background of the HMO Development in Welling

Properties like 45 Hadlow Road represent typical suburban housing stock in Welling, a residential area in the London Borough of Bexley known for its end-terrace and semi-detached homes built in the mid-20th century. Hadlow Road features family dwellings with gardens and driveways, situated near local amenities, schools, and transport links to central London. The street’s character is uniformly residential, with low-density housing.

Bexley Council has handled numerous HMO applications in recent years, often approving those with no external changes amid London’s rental pressures.

National guidance from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government sets minimum room sizes—e.g., 10.22 square metres for a single bedroom—and requires adequate shared spaces. Bexley’s local plan prioritises housing supply while protecting amenity, with Article 4 Directions in some zones limiting smaller HMOs.

This proposal fits a pattern of internal conversions in the borough, where demand for shared housing grows due to high private rents and limited social housing. Welling’s proximity to the A2 and Bexleyheath station supports its appeal for sharers commuting to London jobs.

Prediction for Local Renters and Residents

This development could increase shared housing options for young professionals, students, or key workers seeking affordable rooms in Welling, potentially easing pressure on single-family lets amid Bexley’s rental market. Up to five occupants might utilise existing parking and gardens without altering street parking significantly, given driveway and on-street capacity.