Burnley Council seeks views on proposed bedsit crackdown

Burnley Council wants to have greater control over the creation of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in the borough.

It is considering removing what are known as permitted development rights which currently allow a single home to be changed into a small HMO without planning permission.

An HMO is a property shared by at least three people not of the same family with shared facilities such as bathroom or kitchen.

Currently a single dwelling can be converted into an HMO for between three and six people without the need for planning permission.

Under the proposals put forward by the council, anyone wanting to do that would have to submit a planning application.

Larger HMOs are already subject to planning permission.

If approved, the new policy would cover the nine wards which have the highest number of HMOs in the borough:

They are Bank Hall, Brunshaw, Daneshouse with Stoneyholme, Gannow, Gawthorpe, Queensgate, Rosehill with Burnley Wood, Rosegrove with Lowerhouse and Trinity.

The proposal follows Blackburn with Darwen Council enforcing a clampdown on the controversial form of housing over the summer.

Cllr John Harbour, Burnley Council's housing boss, said: “I would encourage anyone with an interest in this issue to take part in this consultation.

"We want to hear all views to help us take an informed decision.

“The proposal to remove permitted development rights won’t prevent HMOs being created but it will give the council more control over how many there are and where.”

The consultation will end on November 24. The council’s preferred method for receiving consultation responses is via e-mail to localplan@burnley.gov.uk

Alternatively, comments can be submitted by post to Burnley Borough Council, Economy and Growth, Town Hall, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 9SA.