Call for more balance over HMO applications

Jerry Weber, (Lab, Leamington Clarendon) is concerned that the affect of HMOs, particularly those which accommodate students, in the south of Leamington is starting to ‘creep; into the North of the town.

Warwick District Council is currently working on a draft policy which would restrict the number of HMOs within a particular radius - possibly of about 500 metres.

Cllr Weber said: “Hopefully the new policy will help to create a more balanced approach to approving HMO planning application and develop more balanced communities.

“This is what planning should be for - to look at the bigger picture and not just individual applications.

“I would like to see all new planning applications for HMOs put on hold until the new policy is in place.

“This will allow us some breathing space to have a considered look at how we want to see the balance in our housing needs .”

Cllr Weber is particularly concerned about applications for two large HMOs in the town centre - on the site of the Willoughby Pub in Augusta Place and a former nursing home in Clarendon Avenue which he says will have a significant effect on the balance of their communities.

Cllr Weber said: “In theory HMOs shouldn’t be a problem in our locality, we welcome students to our town as they bring vitality to the town centre and help our flagging economy.

“Unfortunately there is another side to HMOs.

“If there are too many HMOs in a particular area this can change the nature of the community, particularly as students are away from the town for long periods of time.

“And, of course, there can be issues of noise at night and an unwillingness to deal with rubbish satisfactorily.”

Like with the overall Local Plan to which this policy would be connected, the draft plan has been delayed.