Issue - meetings

Residential Conversions and Houses in Multiple Occupation

 

 

Meeting: 08/12/2020 - Cabinet (Item 92)

92 Residential Conversions and Houses in Multiple Occupation pdf icon PDF 464 KB

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

 

Report of Director for Economic Growth & Regeneration

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

 

Cabinet received a report from the Director for Economic Growth & Regeneration which sought a resolution from Cabinet to formally adopt the Residential Conversion and Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document.  The Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) had been through two stages of consultation and the views raised had been considered in the drafting of the final version. The report outlined the content of the SPD, and the Consultation Statement attached to the report outlined the stages of consultation and how the responses were taken into account and sought a resolution to adopt the SPD as a material consideration for the determination of planning applications.

 

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

 

Option 1 - Adoption of the Residential Conversions and Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document

Advantages: The SPD will provide guidance for determining planning applications for HMOs, particularly in respect of the way in which the percentage of HMOs in an area will be calculated and the standards expected for HMOs. The SPD will be afforded weight in decision making.

Disadvantages: No disadvantages.

Risks: No risks.

 

Option 2: Do not adopt the Residential Conversions and Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document

 Advantages: No advantages.

Disadvantages: There will be a lack of clarity with regard to the calculation of the percentage of HMOs in an area and the standards required. The SPD will not be afforded weight in decision making.

Risks: No risks.

 

 

The officer preferred option is Option 1 – Adoption of the Residential Conversions and Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document.  Adoption of the SPD will ensure the contents can be given weight in decision making.

 

Councillor Lewis proposed, seconded by Councillor Jackson:-

 

“That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be approved.”

 

Councillors then voted:-

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(1)             That the Residential Conversions and Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document be adopted.

 

(2)             That the necessary measures be undertaken to publicise the adoption of the Residential Conversions and Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document in accordance with national legislation.

 

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

 

Director for Economic Growth & Regeneration

 

Reasons for making the decision:

 

The decision is consistent with the ambition within the Corporate Plan to enhance community cohesion.  The SPD builds upon policies in the Local Plan, particularly policy DM13, which aims to ensure a balanced community. The SPD will support the implementation of this policy. The SPD, in conjunction with policy DM13 and proposals to designate an Article 4 Direction seek to address the detrimental impacts of concentration of HMOs in accordance with the ambitions of the Corporate Plan and the Local Plan.