Change of Use Planning
& HMO Planning Support

Need Help With Change of Use or an HMO Planning Application?

Change of use projects can involve planning policy, layout requirements, local restrictions and practical property considerations that need careful thought before submission.

Architectural Vista Designs helps property owners and investors prepare clear drawings and planning information for change of use, HMO and related residential proposals.

We provide realistic advice on the likely route, the drawings needed and the issues that may need addressing before the application is submitted.

Discuss Your Change of Use Project

What We Can Help You With

Planning and drawing support for property projects where use, layout or occupation is changing.

Change of Use Advice

Guidance on whether planning permission may be needed and what issues may affect the proposal.

HMO Planning Support

Clear drawings and planning support for HMO-related layouts and applications.

Application Drawings

Existing and proposed plans prepared to explain the property and intended use.

See What Is Possible With a Well-Planned Conversion

Change of use proposals need to explain both the physical layout and the planning reasoning clearly.

We help shape proposals that consider amenity, access, parking, room layouts, local policy and any constraints that may affect the application.

Change of use and HMO planning drawings
Advice on likely planning constraints
Support preparing clearer planning submissions

What Shapes a Change of Use Application?

These factors often determine how clearly the proposal needs to be explained.

Existing Use

The lawful current use and planning history help shape the right application route.

Proposed Layout

Room sizes, amenity, access and occupation need to be shown clearly.

Local Policy

Some areas have specific restrictions, parking standards or HMO controls.

Supporting Detail

Clear drawings and explanations help the council assess the proposal.

A Clear, Simple Process

We help organise the project from early advice to drawings and submission.

01. Consultation

We discuss the property, intended use and likely planning route.

02. Assessment

We review the site, layout and key constraints before drawings progress.

03. Strategy

We prepare drawings and advice to explain the proposal clearly.

04. Submission

You receive the application material and guidance on next steps.

Why Choose Architectural Vista Designs

Practical planning support for property projects that need a clear route forward.

20+ Years of Expertise

Residential design and home improvement experience across a wide range of domestic schemes.

800+ Projects Delivered

A proven track record across extensions, conversions, planning and technical drawings.

Straightforward Advice

Clear guidance on feasibility, planning routes and realistic next steps before you commit.

End-to-End Support

Support from early concept through to the drawings needed for the next stage.

Local Knowledge

Experience across Leicestershire, Warwickshire and surrounding planning contexts.

Practical Home Design

Designs focused on how the home will work for the people living in it.

What Clients Say

We contacted Mark from a friend’s recommendation. What a pleasure to deal with. From start to finish. Mark was polite and helped us with every aspect of planning and design and always had time to listen to us . We never felt in the dark and costs were always exactly as quoted . Would highly recommend

Ashley Jones

Very professional pricing high quality detailed plans. Provided second to none advice and support with both structural engineers drawings and build over plans for Severn Trent. Recommended Quadrant building inspectors and supported the build to certificate of completion.

Steve Lewin

Mark is Friendly and reliable and provided plans for a garage conversation and supported the planning permission and building regulations process for a reasonable price and was always happy to help and advise, would recommend to family and friends.

Sarah wightman

Mark was brilliant from start to finish, I was struggling and had some delays and curve balls thrown my way but I gave mark a ring he came out the next day!!! 😲😃 and was brilliant explained everything and dealt with all the paperwork and things that im not good at supplied drawings and was always there if I had any questions!!!

Top work mark!!!

Jordan Pratt

Mark offers a complete service for the process of design to planning approval and beyond. He is a decent bloke , a good competent designer and very practical. His rates are reasonable and his work to a high standard. He has completed a house design with all the approvals for us and we are pleased with the outcome. Use him he is good which is rare these days !! Good luck Mark

steve wooldridge

I approached Mark recently to discuss options on building a new property where my garage currently sits.

Mark was extremely helpful and was swift in coming out to my property. He was always a phone call or email away and captured my ideas perfectly.

His extensive knowledge of how the property could keep in the style of the current houses on the road, along with his excellent designs have allowed me to secure full planning permission the first time.

Mark has been supportive and very approachable after this, especially when it came to me selling the land with planning permission.

I thoroughly recommend Mark and Architectural Vistadesigns Ltd to anyone in need of an excellent architect.

Richard Hill

Mark was extremely helpful with helping us design our side extension. He was very professional and kept us up to date through every stage. We was very pleased that the planning was approved in only 2 months. We wouldn’t hesitate to use him again.

Melissa Belcher

Mark has been absolutely brilliant in what we asked him to do for us. His attention to detail and patience when we made changes was outstanding. Communication was excellent all the way through. Great value for money, would highly recommend his services and will be keeping his details for the future.

Andy Bean

I would highly recommend Mark.

I was out of my depth with what should have been a very simply planning application, My attempt at this was declined. So, my search begun to seek professional help, with one phone call I was put at ease. Mark took control and explained things in simple terms. He visited and submitted drawings along with whatever else was needed in a very timely and efficient manner.

I am very happy to now be able to continue with our alterations to our outside space with an accepted planning application now confirmed. Thank you Mark

Maria Peploe

Mark was extremely friendly whilst being professional. On our initial call he told me that I could make the application myself, therefore he very much puts the client’s needs before profit. However, we chose to use him and are very glad we did. He was very responsive. The planning office requested that a second inspection be carried out (at a further cost) and Mark was able to get this cancelled. Definitely worth the reasonable price we paid for his excellent services.

Mark

Selected Projects & Case Studies

New Build House Design in Earl Shilton

View this new build 4 bedroom family house project in Earl Shilton, with architectural design, planning support, landscaping and detailed design by Architectural Vistadesigns.

New Build Dwellings in Allesley, Coventry | Browns Lane Project

Explore this Browns Lane, Allesley project involving the design and planning approval of two new build dwellings in Coventry, including landscaping and detailed design.

Railway Inn, Sileby | Public House Conversion & New Build Project

Explore the Railway Inn, Sileby project involving public house conversion, new build dwellings, planning submission and landscaping for a constrained town centre site.

View Previous Work

Ready to Explore Your Property’s Potential?

Book a free consultation and get clear advice on the best planning route.

Book Your Free Consultation

Change of Use & HMO Planning FAQs

Change of use planning permission is required when a property is proposed to move from one planning use class to another and the change is not permitted automatically. Whether permission is needed depends on the current use, the proposed new use, and the specific planning rules affecting the site.

In some cases, yes. Whether planning permission is required to convert a house into an HMO depends on the size of the HMO, the existing use, and whether the local authority has introduced additional restrictions such as an Article 4 Direction. Early advice from an HMO planning architect can help clarify the position.

An HMO planning architect helps assess the feasibility of the proposal, prepare suitable layouts, advise on planning strategy, and produce the drawings and application information needed for submission. This can help make the process clearer and improve the quality of the overall proposal.

Yes. We can advise on change of use planning permission for a range of projects, including those involving conversion from commercial or mixed-use properties to residential uses. The exact route depends on the existing use, the site, and the local planning context.

Most HMO planning applications require existing and proposed drawings showing the layout, room arrangement, and overall use of the property. Additional supporting information may also be needed depending on the proposal and the local authority’s requirements.

Timescales vary depending on the type of project, the local authority, and whether further information is requested during the process. The overall programme usually includes feasibility, drawing preparation, submission, validation, and the council’s determination period.

An Article 4 Direction removes certain permitted development rights in a specific area, meaning planning permission may be needed where it might not otherwise have been required. This can be particularly relevant for some HMO projects, so it is important to check the local position early on.

Yes. Once planning has been secured, we can also help prepare the building regulations drawings needed for the next stage of the project, helping you move from planning approval towards construction in a more structured way.