Labour councillors have criticised moves by the coalition government to remove the rules that require landlords to seek planning permission to turn family homes into smaller individual dwellings of up to six occupants.

Labour Councillors argue that this could have serious consequences for many neighborhoods in Brighton and  Hove. They argue that it is a backwards step for the work carried out in the last year to improve the situation of student housing (studentification) which recommended strengthening the use of planning regulations with regards to student housing and HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupancy).
 
The Labour opposition spokesperson on Housing, Cllr Christine Simpson, said:
“It is tragic that this very sensible measure put in place by the previous Labour nationally and locally is not being continued by the Conservatives and Lib Dems.  Moves to cut red tape for land lords will be music to their ears but it could have very negative impacts on areas of family housing across the City.”
 
Under the previous Labour Government, planning permission was required to convert a normal dwelling house into a HMO with up to six occupants. However, the Conservative and Lib Dem Government are proposing changes to permitted development rights so that properties moving from a dwelling house to a HMO (with up to six occupants) will not require planning permission. It is anticipated that the changes will come into force in October 2010.

For more information about Labour view:
www.brightonhovelabour.com