Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing in relation to the making of a non-immediate Article 4 Direction in relation to Houses of Multiple Occupation in relation to parts of Bootle, Seaforth, Waterloo and Southport.

Decision Made: That:

(1)       the making of a non-immediate Article 4 Direction, as detailed in  Appendix A, for the reasons set out in this report, in relation to Houses in Multiple Occupation in selected areas of Bootle, Seaforth, Litherland, Waterloo and Southport as shown in Appendix B, be approved;

(2)       the required notifications as set out in the report and the publication of a public notice as shown in Appendix C, be authorised; and

(3)       a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet, following notification and consultation, to seek Cabinet approval as to whether or not to confirm this non-immediate Article 4 Direction.

Reasons for the Decision:

To remove the permitted development rights that householders currently have to convert their homes to a small House in Multiple Occupation in parts of Sefton. Planning permission will be required and this will ensure the Council has control of these proposals. The Council will therefore be able to consider whether the proposals, either individually, or in combination, will have a detrimental impact on residential amenity.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Option 1 – do not introduce an Article 4 Direction. The Council would not have control of conversion to small HMOs (i.e. for occupation by between 3 and 6 unrelated people) in the areas identified in Appendix B. Whilst there would be no financial impact on the planning department, there is a risk of clusters of HMOs occurring which may impact on residential amenity. Larger HMOs (i.e. those with accommodation for more than six unrelated people) already require planning permission and will not be affected by this Direction.

Option 2 – Consider the introduction of an Article 4 direction with immediate effect. This would mean that the control of use from homes to small HMOs would be in place as soon as the direction is made. However, the Council would be liable to pay compensation as set out in paragraph 5.5.