Issue - meetings

Homes in Multiple Occupation

Meeting: 21/05/2020 - Development Control Committee (Item 14)

14 HOMES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION pdf icon PDF 574 KB

Minutes:

REPORT HPR2020/005

 

This report outlined current controls relating to Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and the nature and scale of HMOs in Bromley.  The report also assessed current and potential impacts of HMOs and set out potential avenues to address possible harm that may materialise, noting relevant processes, data requirements and the experience of other boroughs.

 

Visiting Member Councillor Michael Rutherford considered it would not be unreasonable for permitted development rights (PDRs) which currently allowed a change of use from houses to homes of multiple occupation (HMOs) to be withdrawn.  Conversion could still take place but developers would be required to submit a planning application which would allow consultation to take place.

 

Councillor Own agreed with the suggestion that PDRs be withdrawn to minimise the risk of attracting undesirable occupancy.

 

The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy reported that officers were liaising with the Licensing Department to consider methods of controlling and/or implementing additional licensing for HMOs.

 

Councillor Allen considered it made sense for the Council to bring itself into line with other boroughs.  Inspection of housing was needed to help protect residents. However, a certain amount of control was required.

 

While Councillor Fawthrop supported the work currently being undertaken, he believed the establishment of a blanket ban on PDRs should not be considered at this stage but could be reviewed at a later date. Councillor Huntington-Thresher agreed and suggested that different levels of control could be introduced with the classification of a large HMO being defined as four or more unrelated occupants as opposed to six as stated in the report.

 

The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy reminded Members that National Development Rights could not be amended.

 

Councillor Mellor urged Members and officers to act with great alacrity on this issue as change of use to HMOs was being used by developers for financial gain.

 

RESOLVED to note:-

 

1  the impacts of HMOs identified in the report;

 

2  that officers would undertake further work to:-

 

  (i)  establish an understanding of the trends and spatial distribution of HMOs across the borough and assess the justification for and implications of, further actions where necessary; and

 

  (ii)  consider the implications of emerging national and regional design guidance and observe any relevant outcomes from the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

…………………………………..

 

Following the completion of business, Members commended the Chairman for successfully hosting and controlling the first virtual meeting of the Development Control Committee which ran smoothly and uninterrupted.