RESTRICTIONS over Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Rugby are set to tighten following years of campaigning.
Developers and landlords will have to apply for planning permission before converting a home into a small HMO under the new rules, which were due to be adopted by Rugby Borough Council (RBC) at a meeting last night (Wednesday September 25).
The council says the move aims to protect the character of council wards which have seen demand for HMOs rise in recent years.
It applies to smaller C3 (dwelling house) properties in the Benn, Coton and Boughton, Eastlands, New Bilton, and Newbold and Brownsover wards.
Larger HMOs across the borough already require planning permission.
Coun Louise Robinson, RBC’s spokesperson for growth, investment, digital and communications, said the new rules aimed to strike a balance between meeting the housing needs of residents and protecting the character and amenities of council wards which had seen a recent increase in HMOs.
She added it was the first step in the council’s plan to adopt additional powers to control the number and location of HMOs in certain council wards, with an HMO policy set to be included in the borough’s new Local Plan.
She said: “When developers convert a dwelling house into a small HMO under permitted development rights, the council currently has no way of keeping a record of how many small HMOs have been developed or the location of those HMOs.
“By bringing small HMOs into the planning process, we can consider each application against both national and local planning policies while also giving residents the opportunity to comment on applications before the council considers whether to recommend or refuse the plans.
“I’m delighted to bring this recommendation to council and I’d like to thank the ward councillors and residents who helped spearhead this change.”
The Article 4 Direction – legislation which allows councils to remove or restrict permitted development rights in designated areas – was drafted following a council review of HMOs in the borough, launched in response to concerns raised by residents.
After making the HMO Article 4 Direction in February, the council invited residents to comment on the direction. All responses received were in support, including a petition signed by 651 residents.
The direction is set to come into force next February.
