Agenda item

Confirmation of proposed Article 4 Directions re HIMO's

Report of the Director of Planning and Regeneration (Copy herewith)

Decision:

Cabinet confirmed the ‘Immediate’ Article 4 Direction which removed permitted development rights for change of use from C3 to C4 for an area bound by Holly Lodge Road to the north of the area, the Borough boundary to the east, Boughton Green Road to the south (including properties fronting the Road on the southern side) and Harborough Road to the west (including properties fronting the Road on the western side) as shown on the attached plan at Appendix 1 of the report.

 

Cabinet confirmed the ‘Non-immediate’ Article 4 Direction which removed permitted development rights for change of use from C3 to C4 for the rest of the area comprising the remaining part of the central and northern parts of the Borough as shown on the attached plan at Appendix 2 of the report

Minutes:

Councillor Marriott welcomed the report and commented that the agreement of the recommendations would allow the Council to have greater control of the number of HIMO’s. It was noted that it was not just a student issue but the increase in population in the town had lead to greater demand for such housing. He explained that the change of use from use Class C3 Dwelling House to C4 Houses in Multiple Occupation would lead to areas that currently welcomed students to being overrun by them and an increase in hostility. He further suggested that the Council, for monitoring purposes, keep a permanent register of HIMO’s.

 

Councillor Mennell thanked the residents who had attended the meeting to express their concerns and wanted to ensure that Cabinet were aware of the experiences of what residents close to HIMO’s had endured. She commented that a major problem was with private landlords who were not taking responsibility for their properties and was a problem that would get worse and which should be considered by the Council. She reported that the Council had a register for landlords and that provisions should be made to give guidance to Councillors and residents who are experiencing the negative affects of HIMO’s.

 

Councillor Markham addressed Cabinet and commented that having heard the views of residents, the Council had a duty of care to its residents. She recognised that there was significant pressure on the housing stock but reported that HIMO’s did not always provide good quality housing neither inside nor out. She further commented that in relation to HIMO’s she had seen poor management of gardens and an increase in parking issues. She suggested that the Council adopt a local planning policy document under the Local Development Framework and commented that planning policy should provide a balance in order to prevent harm to residential areas.

 

Councillor Yates, as the relevant Portfolio Holder, introduced the report and noted that there was a need to renew the Article 4 Direction as it was near to expiry, which would have an affect on 13 wards in the Borough. Having listened to the opinions and comments of residents and Councillors he stated that the reasons for the confirmation were obvious and there was a need for HIMO’s to be properly regulated, through the planning system and commented that there was a real need to renew the existing orders.

 

Councillor Malpas commented that when examining the account of some of the HIMO landlords it was incongruous to the experiences voiced by the residents.

 

The Chairman thanked the members of the public for their contributions and stated that the report was a way of looking forwards and anticipating any future problems that could arise. Referring to Councillor Markham’s comments with regards to planning policy, it was noted that the Director of Planning and Regeneration and the Director of Housing would work together in examining policy and a report would be bought back to Cabinet in early 2012.

 

RESOLVED:

1.      That the ‘Immediate’ Article 4 Direction which removed permitted development rights for change of use from C3 to C4 for an area bound by Holly Lodge Road to the north of the area, the Borough boundary to the east, Boughton Green Road to the south (including properties fronting the Road on the southern side) and Harborough Road to the west (including properties fronting the Road on the western side) as shown on the attached plan at Appendix 1 of the report be confirmed.

 

2.      That the ‘Non-immediate’ Article 4 Direction which removed permitted development rights for change of use from C3 to C4 for the rest of the area comprising the remaining part of the central and northern parts of the Borough as shown on the attached plan at Appendix 2 of the report be confirmed

Supporting documents: