Issue - meetings

B Report of the Head of Planning (Copy herewith)

Cabinet resolved to confirm the Non-Immediate Article 4 Directions for Far Cotton/Delapre and Cliftonville (as shown on Map 1 and 2 of the report) made on 29th June 2017, to withdraw permitted development rights for the change of use from buildings used as Dwellinghouses (Use Class C3) to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) (Use Class C4) with effect from 29th September 2018.

Councillor Birch addressed Cabinet and stated that she welcomed the extension to withdraw permitted development rights for the change of use from buildings used as Dwellinghouses to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). She reported that the planning department had been deluged with requests for conversion to HMOs and considered that overall, there had been an increase in high quality conversions. She further commented that the report included at Item 7 of the agenda complimented the recommendations contained within this report.

Councillor McCutcheon commented that there were some very good and responsible landlords who worked well and maintained their properties to a very high standard and that the proposal would provide an opportunity to tackle rogue landlords. He stated that with an expanding population there was a need to be adaptable and flexible due evolving demographics.

Councillor Hadland, as the relevant Cabinet Member, submitted his report and commented that policies had been based on local evidence and thanked members of the planning department and housing department and the local residents for their evidence-collection which had driven the project forwards. He noted that the Council had been approached from other areas in the Town and consideration would be given to them in due course.

The Leader commented that it was important to continue to monitor other areas and noted the need for all information to be evidence based.

RESOLVED:

That the Non-Immediate Article 4 Directions for Far Cotton/Delapre and Cliftonville (as shown on Map 1 and 2 of the report) made on 29th June 2017, to withdraw permitted development rights for the change of use from buildings used as Dwellinghouses (Use Class C3) to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) (Use Class C4) with effect from 29th September 2018 be confirmed.