30 June 2016
Green councillors are leading a move to regulate the number and quality of shared houses in parts of Norwich, with the city council’s sustainable development panel yesterday voting in favour of planning controls. The panel recommended changing the rules so that planning permission is needed to convert a property into a ‘house in multiple occupation’ (HMO) in parts of the city where the proportion of HMOs is already at 30%.
The Green representatives on the panel favoured a lower threshold of 20% along with a policy setting out criteria for improving maintenance and management standards that new HMOs would have to meet. However, this option was not backed by Labour members.
The panel’s function is only advisory – the Labour cabinet will decide on whether to introduce planning controls when it meets on 13th July.
Councillor Simeon Jackson said: “We are trying to do the best for the many residents who have contacted us about this issue. We also want to improve private sector housing conditions for people who rely on HMOs for accommodation. It is a complex issue and planning controls can only be part of the solution. Simply ‘getting bigger bins’, as suggested by one Labour councillor, is not going to resolve this.”
Councillor Denise Carlo, who represents Nelson ward, has written to the UEA vice-chancellor, David Richardson, asking for the university’s support. She said: “All residents have a right to good quality, affordable homes. We want to see an approach that meets the needs of both students and other residents.
“More needs to be done to tackle irresponsible landlords’ practices, to encourage a sense of community in neighbourhoods, and to get more student housing built to take the pressure off housing in the Golden Triangle.”
Greens want to see:
1. An Article 4 Direction (which requires planning permission to convert a family home into an HMO) in parts of the city, with the option to extend it to a wider area in future.
2. A licensing system for HMOs to improve maintenance standards and treatment of tenants.
3. A commitment from Norwich City Council and the University of East Anglia to work together to ensure the supply of purpose-built student housing is sufficient to absorb the projected rise in student numbers.
4. A dedicated liaison officer for students living in the community, employed by the UEA, as a point of contact for students, other residents and councillors.
5. Car club spaces in popular student areas, with students encouraged by the universities not to bring their cars to Norwich.
