'Proliferation' of HMOs prompts city hall bosses to get more strict with developers

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Salford council bosses have moved to restrict the 'proliferation' of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in the city. The town hall's cabinet has agreed to extend the areas of the borough where 'permitted development rights' - which allow residential homes to be converted into HMOs without planning consent - be removed.

HMOs are typically where single and often young professional people live at a lower cost than traditionally rented accommodation.

Wards to which this is being applied are Little Hulton, Swinton and Wardley, Walkden North, Walkden South, Worsley and Westwood Park.

Additional areas of Barton and Winton, Pendlebury and Clifton and Swinton Park are also being included. But the whole of Boothstown and Ellenbrook and Cadishead and Lower Irlam and parts of Higher Irlam and Peel Green will be exempt from the restrictions. READ MORE: Desperate mum facing eviction denied access to housing - because she was working from home READ MORE: Seeds sown for battle over plans for 300 homes next to RHS Bridgewater Cabinet member Coun Phil Cusack, who is also chair of the city’s planning and transportation regulator panel, said there had been ‘a lot of issues’ throughout the city with HMOs. “There’s no doubt whatsoever that the proliferation of HMOs can lead to a decline in communities,” he said. “But many of the HMOs are necessary, although we need to control them, and we need to make sure they don't change the nature of the areas where they are.” Coun Jim Cammell, who represents Swinton Park which has the highest number of HMOs in Salford, said: “There is a requirement for HMOs, but residents want to be consulted.