Homes lacking Health Maintenance Organizations are a concern for activists in Durham, as per their recent assertions.
In the city of East Durham, a local campaign group, East Durham Communities Standing Together, has been advocating for a limit on houses in multiple occupation (HMO) due to concerns about their impact on local neighborhoods.
The group, which is known for championing community interests, has been particularly vocal about the potential issues caused by HMOs, such as overcrowding, strain on local infrastructure, changes to neighbourhood character, and reduced community cohesion. Other concerns include increased noise, parking pressure, and rubbish problems, as well as potential negative effects on property prices and maintenance standards.
Dr Brian Brown, chair of the campaign group, has stated that the attraction for landlords is the low housing prices in the area. This has led to a focus on certain deprived areas, causing concern among residents in places like Blackhall and Horden.
In response to these concerns, the group has launched a petition, which was signed by over 150 people, and staged a protest outside the local authority's County Hall headquarters, urging for the council to introduce Article 4 directions.
Article 4 directions are local planning tools that can remove permitted development rights for certain property changes, such as converting family homes into HMOs. This would mean that planning permission would be required for such developments. If approved, landlords involved with developments for six or less people would need to apply for planning permission.
However, Cllr James Rowlandson, cabinet member for resources, investment, and assets, has stated that there is no evidence that HMOs are causing issues in East Durham. He also noted that the proportion of HMOs in East Durham is very low.
In light of this, the council can apply to the government for an Article 4 direction if there is evidence of HMOs having a detrimental impact on the community. It's unclear if such measures are currently being proposed or debated in this case, as up-to-date or specific information about the East Durham group's campaign and local council consideration of Article 4 directions is not available.
For precise arguments, evidence presented by both sides, and policy proposals including Article 4 directions in East Durham, reviewing local council minutes, community group statements, or local news sources would be necessary. Matt Tough, a member of the East Durham Communities Standing Together group, believes that applying for Article 4 direction would ensure all HMOs go through proper planning permission.
- The East Durham Communities Standing Together group, in their quest to protect community interests, has proposed applying for an Article 4 direction to prevent housing in multiple occupation (HMO) conversions, arguing that it would necessitate proper planning permission for such developments and potentially address concerns such as overcrowding, infrastructure strain, and reduced community cohesion.
- In a bid to influence real-estate investments in the area and safeguard the housing market, the East Durham Communities Standing Together group is advocating for the introduction of Article 4 directions to limit the proliferation of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), citing potential issues such as impact on property prices, maintenance standards, and overall neighborhood character.
