A policy is in place to help Coventry City Council to continue to manage the development of houses in multiple occupation (HMO).
It’s called an Article 4 direction and in Coventry it means that the Council – which is the planning authority - can restrict the scope of new HMO developments across a number of neighbourhoods in the city.
Sian Thuraisingham, Chapelfields Residents and Traders Association welcomed the new scheme and hopes it will improve the neighbourhood.
She said that the problem in Chapelfields is that where properties were previously family homes, they are now occupied by five or six adults living in an HMO. Often she says this leads to problems of excess litter, parking problems, and a more transient population.
Sian added: “Now the policy is in place we want to make the community aware so that they can report any development work. It’s important we have the right balance of housing in the area.”
Cllr David Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “HMOs are important, but we need affordable family houses too.
“I want to improve the quality of HMOs by making sure that anyone who wants to convert a home to a HMO has to get planning permission. Anyone looking to develop will need to meet a list of standards that they won’t have had to meet previously.
“Residents have campaigned for this, and I’m pleased that we have delivered the policy.”
Areas of the city where the policy will come into place include Cheylesmore, Earlsdon, Foleshill, Lower Stoke, Radford, St. Michaels, Sherbourne, Wainbody, Whoberley, Westwood and Upper Stoke.
Find out more about Article 4.
To hear more from Sian and Cllr Welsh, watch the video: