Council unveils consultation on HMO planning rules

Landlords and residents are being asked to comment on proposed planning restrictions targeting shared housing in Kidderminster.

A six-week consultation has now begun with Wyre Forest District Council seeking views on introducing an Article 4 direction for HMOs there.

Anyone who lives, works or owns property locally, alongside landlords and sector groups, can submit an opinion.

The Article 4 direction will remove permitted development rights for changing family homes into small HMOs without consent.

Important opportunity

The council’s cabinet member for planning, Coun Dan Morehead, said: “We know many HMOs in Kidderminster provide good quality homes.

“But we’re also listening to residents who are concerned about the number of poorly managed properties in some areas.

“These proposals are about making sure HMOs are in the right places and meet the standards our communities deserve.”

He added: “This consultation is an important opportunity for people to tell us what they think, and we hope as many residents as possible will get involved.”

Planning permission needed

Under the change, landlords would need to apply for planning permission before switching use to properties housing up to six tenants.

The council points to a rising concentration of HMOs in some neighbourhoods.

It associates this with pressures on parking, waste services and the availability of larger homes.

If progressed, the direction would come into force in February 2027 so all new small HMOs would require formal approval.

The authority says this would enable it to manage location and consider neighbourhood impact before schemes proceed.

The exercise runs until 6 April, and there’s an online survey for people to use.