A motion to introduce changes to planning rules to reduce houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) in Netherfield will be discussed at a Gedling Borough Council meeting on Wednesday (April 20). And people in the town have said HMOs "destroy the community" and create "parking chaos".
Campaigners from the Netherfield Against HMOs group previously called on the borough council to change planning rules. And Conservative MP for Gedling, Tom Randall, has also written to council leader John Clarke over the issue.
A motion proposed by Councillor Mike Adams, leader of the Conservative group on the borough council and ward councillor for Trent Valley, will be discussed at a full council meeting on Wednesday evening. Government changes in 2010 allowed property owners to automatically convert properties to HMOs under permitted development rights.
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It means applicants do not have to have their plans scrutinised by councillors at a local authority planning committee. And Councillor Adams argues that under permitted development rights Netherfield residents are unable to comment in support or object to such proposals.
The Government has also introduced powers to enable local councils to require local property owners to apply for planning permission, and come under further scrutiny in their plans, when seeking to convert to a HMO. Known as Article 4 Direction, this change has been introduced by Nottingham City Council and Broxtowe Borough Council, with concerns previously raised about the rise in family homes in the likes of Beeston and Lenton being converted into HMOs for students.
Critics in Netherfield say HMOs increase traffic on the roads, leading to more cars on already congested streets, and add to the loss of family housing stock. And campaigners, including Cllr Adams, would like changes to be introduced to remove permitted development rights under the policy covering HMOs in Netherfield.
People in Netherfield have been speaking about issues they associate with HMOs. Retired Peter Bakewell, who has lived in Netherfield since 1970, pointed at the congested Ashwell Street and said: "If the emergency services were called on this street they could not drive through. It is always very busy and congested."
The 76-year-old added: "A family normally do not need that many cars, however you will get even more cars if we get more HMOs. It is already busy as it is. It is chaos."
He went on and said: "I think it could also destroy the community. I would not want to live next to an HMO." Pauline Margenson, who described herself as Netherfield "born and bred", added: "I am against HMOs, I do not like them and I do not want to live next to one. I think the area is overcrowded as it is."
The 78-year-old continued: "I do not think it is fair on the families living here. The parking is an absolute nightmare, just horrendous. I think it is just a way for the landlords to make more money. People need houses, but I think it is a bit greedy.
"Also I think it could potentially be dangerous because you have got many people living together and not families. You do not really know who those people are."
Grant Wilson, who works in patient transport, lives in an HMO with his fiancée. He added: "I can see how it can be inconvenient for residents. I live in an HMO with my fiancée. I tried to look for a house but the prices are just too steep for me."
The 52-year-old added: "It is not right and I see why it is a problem for other neighbours in family houses. But there are just not enough properties and for landlords this is easy money."
A Gedling Borough Council spokesperson said: "In 2010, the Government’s Housing Minister, Grant Shapps MP, introduced changes to legislation that allowed people to automatically convert a house into a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) without planning permission - we are aware concerns have been raised by a community group in Netherfield about the number of HMOs in their community.
"Council officers have met with the group to discuss their issues and are in the process of providing feedback on their views to senior councillors. Once further discussions have taken place a response will also be provided to the recent letter from the local MP."
