Potential controls on HMO properties in Mansfield move a step nearer

Mansfield District Council has approved funding to begin the detailed work needed to establish whether Article 4 planning controls should be introduced for Houses in Multiple Occupation in Mansfield.

The investment will fund specialist work to build the detailed evidence base required to support the potential introduction of an Article 4 Direction.

If introduced, an Article 4 Direction could require property owners to apply for planning permission before converting a family home into a small HMO in the area covered by the direction. Currently, this type of conversion can take place without a planning application under permitted development rights.

Executive Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, said: “This is an important step forward in giving the council greater control over how HMOs develop in Mansfield.

“We have listened to residents who are concerned about the increasing number of HMOs and the effect that concentrations can have on family housing, parking and neighbourhoods.

“HMOs have an important role to play in providing affordable places to live, but we also need the right balance. We want Mansfield to have strong, sustainable communities with a good mix of homes for individuals and families.

“By approving this investment we can now get the detailed evidence we need and move this work forward. If that evidence supports an Article 4 Direction, we will be in a much stronger position to consider targeted planning controls in the areas where they are needed.”

The move follows work by the council’s HMO Working Group, which has been examining the growth and concentration of HMOs across the district and the options available to the council.

Evidence considered by the group has identified concentrations of HMOs around Mansfield town centre and the inner urban area. It has also examined concerns including the loss of family housing, parking pressures, antisocial behaviour, waste, property conditions and the balance of local communities.

The council will now commission more detailed analysis to establish the strength of the case for an Article 4 Direction and identify where any controls could be most appropriately targeted. The work is expected to be available in the new year for consideration.