The Committee considered the responses to the consultation on the proposed Article 4 direction regarding houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
It was noted that 64 people or organisations made representations in response to the consultation with 48 broadly in support of the proposed direction and 16 broadly opposed to it. Some representations were unequivocally in support of, or opposed to, the direction. Several other representations were less clear-cut and expressed views subject to reservations or qualifications. There was a high level of support for the direction from local residents.
Representations were also considered from local landlords, a local planning consultant, the National Residential Landlords Association, the Nottingham Student Housing Co-operative and the Beeston and District Civic Society.
Comments that were most frequently made related to various perceived effects of HMOs on matters such as parking, traffic, family housing, character, community and environmental quality.
There were also requests to extend the area of the direction to Commercial Avenue and Denison Street, as well as parts of Chilwell near the tram route.
The debate included a request to extend the direction’s area to Chilwell, protecting the character of the area, whilst welcoming students and the possible impact of COVID-19 on the student population.
RESOLVED that the direction be confirmed without modifications.