Agenda item

This report informs Members of the review undertaken of the Controlling the Concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The report was considered by the Local Plan Working Group on 9^th December 2013 and details of their recommendations are attached to the report.

Resolved:  That Cabinet agree to:

i)      Note the contents of the report;

ii)     Approve the proposed amendments to the Supplementary Planning Document at Annex E of the report;

iii)    Delegate to the Director of City and Environmental Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability, the making of the amendments to the SPD and the republishing of the SPD.

Reason:     So that the SPD be fit for purpose and can continue to be used effectively for Development Management purposes to support the emerging Local Plan and the Article 4 Direction which came into force on 20 April 2012.

Consideration was given to a report which presented Members with details of the review of the Controlling the Concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The review had looked at whether the approach the authority was taking was working, the impact on stakeholders, data collection and best practice elsewhere.

The paper had been considered by the Local Plan Working Group at its meeting on 9 December 2013 when a number of amendments had been agreed, as set out in the amended report at Annex E.

It was noted that extensive consultation had been undertaken as part of the review and the Cabinet Member expressed his appreciation to all respondents.

The Cabinet Member referred to staff resources and HMO turn over which had an effect on updating the HMO database and the need to be able to provide up to date information in relation to planning appeals. Reference was also made to the impact on student families which had been highlighted and to the quality of HMO accommodation which it was proposed to address by way of a flexible C3/C4 permission and with the introduction of an accreditation scheme.

Other Members expressed their support for the revised scheme and following consideration of the following options:

Option 1: Approve the proposed amendments to the SPD as shown at Annex E 

Option 2: Make no changes to the SPD

Option 3: Request officers to undertake further work, it was

Resolved:  That Cabinet agree to:

i)      Note the contents of the report;

ii)     Approve the proposed amendments to the Supplementary Planning Document at Annex E of the report;

iii)    Delegate to the Director of City and Environmental Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability, the making of the amendments to the SPD and the republishing of the SPD. ^1.

Reason:     So that the SPD be fit for purpose and can continue to be used effectively for Development Management purposes to support the emerging Local Plan and the Article 4 Direction which came into force on 20 April 2012.