BURNLEY Labour MP Peter Pike has added his weight to a campaign to limit the number of large houses being split up into flats.

He is one of 22 MPs who have joined to table a motion to the Government over multiple occupancy - a subject of some concern to local councillors in Burnley.

The motion seeks the urgent introduction of legislation which would give local authority planning departments power to restrict the conversion of existing family homes into houses of multiple occupancy.

They say it is important to maintain a balance in the housing stock.

Fears are that too many house conversions cause problems with the availability of family housing, provision of school places, road traffic management, waste collection, street cleaning and community stability.

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