Hinckley and Bosworth Council plans to introduce an Article 4 Direction across more of the borough, just months after deciding to bring in new restrictions.

Following the recent approval of an Article 4 Direction in Hinckley, the authority committed to borough-wide monitoring to identify areas where HMO growth might be causing similar pressures. It has now launched a public consultation on a proposed Article 4 Direction in a defined area of Barwell and Earl Shilton.

An Article 4 Direction would mean that planning permission would be required before new HMOs can be created, allowing the council to consider each proposal on its individual merits and apply local planning policies when deciding applications.

Council leader Stuart Bray says it continues to be a growing frustration for councillors and officers that they have had very limited ability to influence where HMOs are located, despite strong community concerns.

Proactive

“As a borough council, we listened to our residents and stakeholders about an Article 4 Direction in Hinckley,” says Bray. “We want to continue to take a proactive and evidence-led approach.”

Article 4 Directions are all about having a say and assessing proposals properly, not stopping development, he adds. “If approved, it would give us a way to look properly at each application, consider the local impacts and work towards a more balanced and sustainable spread of HMOs across Barwell and Earl Shilton.

“It is important to remember that HMOs are not just used as accommodation for asylum seekers. They are a vital part of the local housing mix for those taking their first step on the housing ladder, or who cannot secure other types of accommodation.”

Landlords can take part in the consultation by completing the online survey until 6th July.

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