News

Nottingham signs up for an Article 4.

5th December 2011

In what was hailed as an effort to maintain balanced neighbourhoods, Nottingham City Council has agreed to introduce an Article 4 Direction.

The move means that from 1 March 2012, planning permission will be needed to change the use of a C3 Dwellinghouse to a C4 House in Multiple Occupation by three or more non-related people.

The Direction wil not be retrospective, but it means that Nottingham now joins a raft of University cities keen to manage and control HMO growth.

Councillor Jane Urquhart, Nottingham City Council’s portfolio holder for Planning and Transportation, says: “Protecting diverse communities where people of all ages can live has enormous benefits for neighbourhoods and the people who live in them. The introduction of an Article 4 Direction will help us control further increases in HMO concentration.

“The council is not denying choice to anyone but simply ensuring that in neighbourhoods which have a healthy balance of family housing, student accommodation, shops and suitable community facilities, these characteristics are preserved.”

The Council had been concerned that a high concentration of HMOs can lead to an imbalances community.

The side effects of this imbalance, the council believe, are increased noise pollution, anti-social behaviour, damage to the streetscape and loss of community facilities.

Many HMOS are situated close to the university campuses, but not all HMOs are rented by students, some tenants are graduates.

There has understandably been some protest from the student community but Councillor Urquhart was quick to try and appease them: “We have considered all the objections raised. We are very proud of Nottingham’s status as a top university city, and I hope students are clear that this decision does not affect existing HMOs and will not suddenly reduce the housing stock available for them as it will only apply to new proposals.

” We want students to continue to play a crucial role in shaping neighbourhoods and communities, but as part of their community and not in isolation.

“A city with diverse communities, with suitable housing for all citizens, gives people choice and flexibility in their decision making about where to live. A balanced neighbourhood is one which offers decent homes that meets the needs of all people while providing a safe and attractive environment in which to live. Introducing an Article 4 Directive will go some way to help achieve this.”