Issue - items at meetings - Article 4 direction - Houses in Multiple Occupation

Report of the Strategic Director; Place (copy attached).

(1)       That the making of a non-immediate direction under article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended) to remove the permitted development right to change the use of a building from a dwelling house (Class C3) to a House in Multiple Occupation (Class C4) for the reasons outlined in the report be approved.

231.1    Councillor Wakefield introduced the report which sought authorisation for making an article 4 direction to remove permitted development rights under planning legislation fro changes of use from dwelling houses (Class C3) to Houses in Multiple Occupation (Class C4).  She noted that a mapping exercise had been undertaken to identify concentrations of HMOs and student housing across the city and this was detailed in appendix 2 to the report.  There was a need for the council to work with educational establishments to meet the needs of students as well as looking to balance the needs of local residents.

231.2    Councillor Mitchell stated that she agreed with proposed action and felt that it could be a valuable tool in terms of helping to manage the number of HMOs.  She was concerned about the level of displacement that might arise if future use was restricted for multiple occupation and queried whether landlords would be able to find a way round the process e.g. having a lead tenant who then sub-lets to others.

231.3    Councillor West welcomed the proposal and stated that he felt that the number of conversations to HMOs was too high and that there was a need to reduce the levels of concentrations of HMOs.  He accepted that it might lead to a degree of displacement, but hoped that it would prevent the loss of other households in areas.

231.4    The Chair stated that part of the problem related to the growth of the universities and a failure to consider the infrastructure needs to meet that growth.  He was hopeful that this would see benefits for the city and put the recommendation to the vote.

231.5    RESOLVED: That the making of a non-immediate direction under article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended) to remove the permitted development right to change the use of a building from a dwelling house (Class C3) to a House in Multiple Occupation (Class C4) for the reasons outlined in the report be approved.