HC Deb 23 July 1997 vol 298 cc620-1W
Mr. Gordon Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance his Department has given to local authorities on planning applications for change of use from class C1 properties to houses in multiple occupation hostels. [9492]

Mr. Raynsford

This Department wrote to chief planning officers in March 1994 explaining the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Amendment) Order 1994. The letter advised that planning permission would, in future, be required for a material change of use from a hotel, boarding or guest house to a hostel and vice versa. Copies of the letter and related press notice have been placed in the House of Commons Library.