Issue - meetings

A decision is sought about whether to confirm a city-wide Article 4 Direction for houses in multiple occupation, and adopt a Supplementary Planning Document to detail how these new planning applications will be determined

Gavin Dick (National Landlords Association) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 22 and on the Council’s website] asked the Cabinet to explain the Council’s response to the recently announcement by DWP about welfare support.  He was concerned that the proposals would reduce house prices as had already happened in Newcastle.  The impact would be on the most vulnerable in society.

Johnny Kidney in an ad hoc statement said that although he supported the Licensing proposals, but not the Article 4 proposals now before Cabinet.  He lived in a road with 88% HMO density and was concerned that the proposals would have a devastating effect on his ability to sell the house.  He asked Cabinet to make exemptions to high density roads, as other councils had done.

Councillor Geoff Ward in an ad hoc statement recognised the challenges of student life and also of local residents.  He felt that Cabinet was about to use Article 4 rather than tackling the rogue landlords.  The proposals would reduce property values for owner-occupiers but would not choke off the demand for multiple occupation, in a city with 2 universities.

Councillor Dave Laming in an ad hoc statement observed that more students could be accommodated on the river, as in Oxford.

Anthony Masters in an ad hoc statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 23 and on the Council’s website] said that the critical question would be how to measure whether Article 4 was successful.  He said that the problem would simply move to another part of the city.  He reminded Cabinet that problem tenants and problem landlords could be dealt with under existing powers.  He urged Cabinet to reject the proposals, which he predicted would not improve housing or behaviour.

Councillor Will Sandry in an ad hoc statement said the proposals were about community.  He assured Cabinet that in Oldfield Ward, his constituents were calling for the proposals to be adopted.  He said that the speakers from the National Landlords Association did not speak for his constituents.  He responded to Anthony Master’s question by saying that the success of the proposals would be evident on the first day - investors would be prevented from buying residential homes and converting them into multiple occupancy.

Stella Wainwright, a resident of Oldfield Park, in an ad hoc statement said that the proposals were 18 years too late.  If implemented now they would prevent local people from selling their homes and would leave them marooned.  She asked for Cabinet to make an exception for high density roads.

Councillor Tim Ball introduced the item by emphasising that Cabinet wanted to see balanced communities.  The proposed threshold would be reached when an area reached 25% density.  He responded to the points made by Gavin Dick by saying that he had seen no evidence of any detrimental effect on vulnerable people.  He was ready to look at examples from other councils.  In response to the appeals for exemptions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21