Press Notice from the Royal Town Planning Institute
Thursday 28th January 2010 PR03

Planners welcome new council powers to curb growth of shared housing

The Royal Town Planning Institute, which represents 22,000 of Britain’s planners, has welcomed Planning Minister John Healey’s announcement that local councils will be given new powers to restrict the growth of houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) if they wish to.

The RTPI has called for such a move for some time, reflecting concerns from local authorities about the multiplying of shared houses which in some towns and cities (particularly those with universities) has led to problems such as increased parking, noise and litter and the loss of relatively inexpensive family housing.

Matt Thomson, Acting Director of Policy and Partnerships at the RTPI said:

“We are pleased that the Planning Minister has announced new powers for councils who want to restrict the growth of shared houses in their local areas. The RTPI previously called for houses of multiple occupancy are to be defined as a separate class of housing within the ‘Use Classes Order’ and its great that the Government has listened, and that a single definition of what these houses are will be used across planning, housing and environmental health legislation.

Shared houses provide an important source of flexible and affordable accommodation for students, small households, and people who are only staying in an area for a short time. However, too many properties in specific areas can have detrimental impacts, particularly the removal of relatively inexpensive family housing from the local market, making it much more difficult for local families to get onto the housing ladder.

“This measure will at long last give councils the power to properly manage shared housing in their area to meet the needs of their communities, whether this means being more flexible to allow for such accommodation, or taking steps to protect family housing.”

ENDS
For further information please contact:

Jamie Hodge, Communications & Public Affairs Officer, RTPI
jamie.hodge@rtpi.org.uk or 07969 976 799

Notes to Editors

1. CLG announcement on Houses of Multiple Occupancy
The Government report and the Planning Minister’s comments can be accessed at http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1447619

2. RTPI response to Government consultation ‘Houses in Multiple Occupation and Possible Planning Responses’
This can be accessed at http://www.rtpi.org.uk/download/6875/RTPI-response-to-HMO-consultation.pdf

3. RTPI: The Royal Town Planning Institute
The RTPI is the largest professional institute for planners in Europe, with over 22,000 members. As well as promoting spatial planning, RTPI develops and shapes policy affecting the built environment, works to raise professional standards and supports members through continuous education, training and development.

For further general information, visit the RTPI website at: www.rtpi.org.uk

41 Botolph Lane, London, EC3R 8DL
RTPI, a charity registered in England 262865 and Scotland SC 037841

Author:

Jamie Hodge

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

28-Jan-10

Categories:

 

Sections:

News & Media , The RTPI

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