At a meeting of Place Scrutiny, Bolton Conservatives joined with other opposition parties to force a vote on the introduction of an immediate planning application process for HMOs, known as Article 4, to be decided at the next meeting of Full Council. Bolton Labour and Communities First voted against this, opting for a one-year delay.
This delay now means that hundreds more HMOs can be created in the borough through permitted development. The introduction of Article 4 would mean better protection for neighbouring residents and those choosing to live in HMOs.
Bolton Council, as part of their report, produced evidence to show that cases of anti-social behaviour and crime are higher in areas with HMOs. 33.3% of crimes and 33.6% of incidents take place within 100m of HMOs, this is disproportionate compared to the number of households. There are 35 more crimes per 100 households within 100m of HMOs than per 100 Households more than 100m from HMOs. As well as this 26.81% of crimes which take place within 100m of an HMO are violent crimes compared to 23.45% in areas more than 100m from HMOs. This shows that areas with high concentrations of HMOs have higher rates of violent crime.
In addition, Housing Standards at Bolton Council receive a disproportionate number of complaints relating to HMOs, mainly nuisance neighbours, overcrowding, and safety concerns. This demonstrates the significant challenges HMOs present to local neighbourhoods and why Conservatives have been campaigning for the introduction of Article 4 since July 2023.
Commenting, Chairman of Place Scrutiny, Cllr Adele Warren, said:
I am very disappointed by Bolton Labour’s decision to block the immediate introduction of Article 4. One of the biggest complaints we get as local councillors is from residents who have to suffer the consequences of a HMO popping up in their area, often resulting in more crime and anti-social behaviour.
Labour said they were worried about potential costs to Bolton if Article 4 was introduced immediately, but two other councils have done the same and only received one claim of compensation. The risk of costs because of immediate introduction of Article 4 is low but the risk to more HMOs springing up because of the year delay is high.
I feel very sorry for residents that are already having to put up with HMOs. A full planning process will mean better quality homes for those living in HMOs and better standards of living for their neighbours. Why would anyone want to delay that?
