Council considers plan to tighten HMO rules

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council is considering whether to tighten planning rules on houses in multiple occupancy (HMOs).

The Liberal Democrat-run authority has launched a consultation on proposals to implement an Article 4 direction in parts of Barwell and Earl Shilton.

An Article 4 direction would mean planning permission would be required before new HMOs could be created, the council said. At present, small HMOs of up to six people can be created without planning permission under permitted development rules.

The consultation comes after the council approved introducing an Article 4 direction in Hinckley in April.

Council leader Stuart Bray said it continued to be a "growing frustration" for councillors and officers that the authority had a "very limited ability" to influence where HMOs are located.

"Article 4 directions are all about having a say and assessing proposals properly, not stopping development.

"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," he added.

The authority said the consultation was set to run until 6 July.

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