|
More powers to manage HMOs needed |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, 01 September 2009 |
 Southampton needs more powers to manage Houses in Multiple Occupation, writes Conservative Councillor and Southampton Test Parliamentary Candidate Jeremy Moulton.
From meeting many residents associations over recent years I know that
local people are concerned about the numbers and concentrations of
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Southampton.
Whilst HMOs play an important role in the city economy, meeting housing
needs and providing choice, high concentrations are often associated
with anti social behaviour, noise nuisance, parking problems and the
loss of family housing.
Southampton is a student city with a growing student population. Also
as a port city there is a substantial transient population. Given that,
there is a considerable demand for HMO accommodation. However this
demand needs to be careful managed to protect the character of
communities and the residents who live there. In my view the objective
should be the creation of balanced communities.
 As it stands councils like Southampton have very few powers to manage
HMOs. It is great news that the Government is now conducting a review
on possible changes to planning laws relating to HMOs. These changes
could give Southampton City Council much greater powers. The Government
review has come after years of hard work and lobbying by local
residents groups and the City Council.
The Communities and Local Government department published its Studentification Paper‚ over a year ago which argued strongly in
favour of the Government changing the planning laws. It also
highlighted the excellent work being done in Southampton by the City
Council and the two universities to tackle issues relating to HMOs.
Currently planning permission is not required to convert a family house
into an HMO. One of the options in the Government's consultation is to
require planning permission. If the change goes through the Council
would be able to refuse inappropriate applications or attach specific
condition to any planning approvals that are granted. Such conditions
might include a requirement for adequate bin storage or parking
provision. Such conditions are a regular feature for new blocks of
flats but because of current planning laws they aren't required for
HMOs. Even garages and quite minor extensions require planning
permission, so why not HMOs? In Northern Ireland HMOs require planning
permission and it works well there, so why not here?
This is a change which I have been campaigning for, for some
considerable time. In parts of Portswood and the Polygon now, some
roads are already over 90% HMOs. It is therefore important that the
Government acts quickly and proactively.
I have written to the Government pushing for urgent action.
Jeremy Moulton
Jeremy is a Southampton Councillor representing Freemantle Ward and the
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Southampton Test
 |
News 
Subscribe to this comment's feed