H/MO: Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
Representation ID: 56779
Received: 03/12/2021
Respondent: Croydon Parish Council
This is also an important part of the mixed housing.
This is also an important part of the mixed housing.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
Representation ID: 56997
Received: 09/12/2021
Respondent: Trumpington Residents Association
The Trumpington Residents' Association presses for continued controls on the conversion of homes into HMOs, particularly in the new developments in the Southern Fringe, where the changes required to make a home suitable (such as conversions and extensions) can have a negative effect on the urban design.
The Trumpington Residents' Association presses for continued controls on the conversion of homes into HMOs, particularly in the new developments in the Southern Fringe, where the changes required to make a home suitable (such as conversions and extensions) can have a negative effect on the urban design.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
Representation ID: 57451
Received: 10/12/2021
Respondent: Huntingdonshire District Council
Huntingdonshire District Council has no comment on this matter
Huntingdonshire District Council has no comment on this matter
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
Representation ID: 57751
Received: 11/12/2021
Respondent: Bassingbourn-cum-Kneesworth Parish Council
We support this policy.
We support this policy.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
Representation ID: 58014
Received: 12/12/2021
Respondent: Cambridge Doughnut Economics Action Group
We would like to see very strongly worded policies to protect existing neighbourhoods from the incremental impact of inappropriate conversions/creation of HMOs
We would like to see very strongly worded policies to protect existing neighbourhoods from the incremental impact of inappropriate conversions/creation of HMOs
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
Representation ID: 59270
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Frank Gawthrop
The current policy of allowing larger properties to be converted to HMO's has had a significant impact on the residential area of South Petersfield. The Victorian villas in this conservation area have suffered in the past from conversions leading to a loss of community cohesion and the ability of larger families to find suitable housing. The decision of the City Council to grant permission for 5 - 7 St Barnabas Road to be converted into a HMO for a local crammer and language school is still a subject of considerable resentment in our neighbourhood.
The current policy of allowing larger properties to be converted to HMO's has had a significant impact on the residential area of South Petersfield. The Victorian villas in this conservation area have suffered in the past from conversions leading to a loss of community cohesion and the ability of larger families to find suitable housing. The decision of the City Council to grant permission for 5 - 7 St Barnabas Road to be converted into a HMO for a local crammer and language school is still a subject of considerable resentment in our neighbourhood.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
Representation ID: 59519
Received: 11/12/2021
Respondent: Pocket Living
Agent: Quod
The policy requirement which ensures new HMO’s are provided in suitable locations with appropriate facilities is supported. This policy should however provide support for the delivery of purpose-built self-contained housing for single person households.
There is a significant and growing unmet need for housing for young single person households. Whilst delivering more HMO’s would provide somewhere for these households to live in the short term, requiring more unrelated households to share is not an appropriate long term solution. This has recently been highlighted by the COVID19 pandemic which illustrated those living in HMO’s has on average just 9 square meters of private space to live and work from (LSE 2020). Furthermore, without purpose-built self-contained alternatives the number of HMO’s required to meet the needs of existing sharers presently living in unregulated/ unsuitable housing would be significant. This would require high concentrations of HMO’s and/or loss of existing family homes. Delivering purpose-built housing for single person households would reduce the need for HMO’s.
The policy requirement which ensures new HMO’s are provided in suitable locations with appropriate facilities is supported. This policy should however provide support for the delivery of purpose-built self-contained housing for single person households.
There is a significant and growing unmet need for housing for young single person households. Whilst delivering more HMO’s would provide somewhere for these households to live in the short term, requiring more unrelated households to share is not an appropriate long term solution. This has recently been highlighted by the COVID19 pandemic which illustrated those living in HMO’s has on average just 9 square meters of private space to live and work from (LSE 2020). Furthermore, without purpose-built self-contained alternatives the number of HMO’s required to meet the needs of existing sharers presently living in unregulated/ unsuitable housing would be significant. This would require high concentrations of HMO’s and/or loss of existing family homes. Delivering purpose-built housing for single person households would reduce the need for HMO’s.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
Representation ID: 60803
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire Green Parties
HMO's can be a more efficient use of a house than single occupancy but are often sub-standard housing, poorly adapted to multiple occupancy, with gardens removed. Rather than carrying forward existing policy, we call for a review of its successes and failures to inform a revised policy.
At their best, house shares can be a more efficient use of a house than single occupancy (potentially
reducing carbon emissions per person), can lead to lower heating and food bills for individuals, can enable
people to live whether they otherwise could not afford to, and can provide a range of social benefits.
However, currently HMOs are often sub-standard housing, poorly adapted to multiple occupancy, with
gardens frequently removed to accommodate parking and bins. Rather than carrying forward existing policy,
we call for a review of its successes and failures to inform a revised policy.