County Durham hopes to restrict HMO conversions across the county amid fears that rising numbers are impacting communities.
Councillors meet next week to discuss a consultation on an Article 4 Direction that would mean all new HMOs would need planning approval. It is considering a non-immediate Direction that gives 12 months’ notice before it takes effect.
The council has already introduced an Article 4 Direction for HMOs in Durham City; Framwellgate Moor, Newton Hall and Pity Me; and Mount Oswald, Carrville and Belmont due to the concentration of student properties.
New evidence shows an increase in HMOs outside of these areas, leading to concerns among residents that it’s negatively impacting residential amenity and local character.
Councillor Lyndsey Fox (main image, inset) , cabinet member for economy and partnerships, says numbers have risen more significantly since 2021.
“An overconcentration of this type of household can have a negative impact on day-to-day life for communities, often because of issues such as increased noise, the general appearance of properties, refuse management and parking issues,” she adds.
“However, they can also have more long-term implications, such as a loss of family housing and an impact on community cohesion due to a more transient population.”
County Durham’s selective licensing scheme, where all HMOs in allocated areas require a licence whatever their size, has proved successful, she adds. “Implementing the Article 4 Direction across the county will avoid concentrations of HMOs in alternative locations to where we are seeing issues now.”
Councillors will also look at introducing an Article 4 Direction to give them greater control over any development that would impact on the history and heritage of an area, as well as considering whether to adopt a High Street Rental Auction Scheme to revitalise the county’s high streets.
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