Property investors looking to develop houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) have been warned “Durham’s probably not for you” ahead of stricter measures being introduced, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
Andrew Husband, Reform council leader, issued the warning after Durham County Council’s cabinet backed new county-wide rules requiring planning permission for all new HMOs from August.
The measures follow the council’s decision last year to extend Article 4 Directions, which remove permitted development rights for HMOs, across the whole of County Durham.
Dawn Bellingham, cabinet member for Communities and Civic Resilience, said the policy was a direct response to residents’ concerns about the growing number of HMOs outside Durham City.
She told cabinet: “Over the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in HMOs outside of Durham City.
“As a result, residents are increasingly raising concerns about the impact on their communities, particularly in terms of residential amenity and the character of local neighbourhoods.
“This policy is a direct response to those concerns. It is designed to strike the right balance, it will protect existing communities from the overconcentration and poor standards while also ensuring that future occupiers have access to safe, well managed and good quality accommodation.”
Under the interim policy, planning applications for new HMOs will normally be refused if any of the 10 nearest residential properties are already HMOs.
Applications will also be rejected if a family home would be left “sandwiched” between two HMOs or between an HMO and a non-residential property.
The policy also sets a limit of 10% of residential properties within a 100m radius being HMOs.
The council said the measures were intended to prevent an overconcentration of shared housing, protect existing communities and ensure good-quality accommodation for tenants.
Cllr Bellingham, Reform member for Horden and Dene House, said the council had listened carefully to feedback from a public consultation and had strengthened the measures to prevent concentrations of HMOs.
“This gives us a stronger framework to manage HMO growth in a way that supports balanced and sustainable communities,” she added.
Future work on the new County Durham Plan will provide a further opportunity for councillors, residents and stakeholders to shape the authority’s long-term approach.
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
