Gedling residents are being urged to give evidence amid proposals to introduce tighter HMO restrictions.
Gedling Borough Council is currently consulting on introducing an Article 4 direction within Netherfield to better restrict how Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) show up in the area.
Currently, a developer wanting to turn a property into a small HMO – occupied by three to six people – is covered by permitted development rights, meaning they do not require planning permission to convert the home unless they plan on extending or altering the property.
Article 4 directions allow councils to withdraw permitted development rights for HMOs across a defined area, meaning smaller HMOs would require planning permission and allowing for resident consultation.
Figures released by the council in January this year show the authority was “aware” of 36 of the 3,120 Netherfield properties being HMOs, about 1.15 per cent of the area’s total housing ,but this may not include those smaller HMOs that did not require planning permission.
The authority launched a consultation on July 10 for residents to write in with their thoughts on an Article 4 direction being introduced on Chandos Street, Ashwell Street and Beech Avenue. This will end on August 21, meaning residents have around a week left to share their opinions.
Councillor Alison Hunt (Lab), who represents Netherfield on the authority, said the consultation allows residents to provide “evidence” on how HMOs may be impacting their area.
She said: “This is your chance to make a difference. It’s no good just posting on Facebook.
“Please report concerns on the consultation. It isn’t a party-political issue, it’s a human issue. It’s about people having a decent place to live that doesn’t cost the earth and doesn’t negatively affect community cohesion.”
Cllr Hunt has previously said she is not against HMOs, adding: “I would have loved one at a certain time in my life, but they’re not homes.
“Family homes are being lost for bedsits in areas with good schools, community ties – it needs to be more proportionate.”
Back in January, Cllr Hunt introduced a motion which called for the continued review of the concentration of HMOs in Gedling, as well as the implementation of a potential Article 4 direction.
She said: “I said I would like to see this extended to Bourne Street and Forester Street… there’s already several on Bourne Street and around two or three on Forester, so I’m gathering evidence, because I drive past Forester Street every day, on bad parking.
“It doesn’t just stop with these three streets. It’s a continuous process… [residents] need to start gathering evidence for other areas.”
Gedling’s Labour MP, Michael Payne, said on Monday (August 10) that he has pressed the council to introduce Article 4 directions in other affected areas.
A council spokesperson said: “The council is monitoring the number of HMOs in individual wards across the borough, along with any evidence that may support the consideration of future Article 4 directions.
“National planning policy states that Article 4 directions, to remove national permitted development rights, should be limited to situations where a direction is necessary to protect local amenity or the wellbeing of an area.
“Any decision to introduce an Article 4 direction must be based on robust evidence and apply to the smallest geographical area possible.”
Gedling’s council previously confirmed that if it approves the direction, taking into account resident views, the tighter HMO restrictions could be in force in Netherfield at the beginning of 2027.
If residents want to write in with their thoughts, the council is asking them to email pandeservicesupport@gedling.gov.uk or send their representations by post, addressed to Planning at the authority’s headquarters in Arnold. Any representations must be made by 5pm on August 21.
By Lauren Monaghan, Local Democracy Reporter