HMO rules to change following public consultation

Planning permission will be required from November to convert smaller properties into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), North Lincolnshire Council has confirmed.

The council said it would scrap the right to transform homes for three to six unrelated people in Scunthorpe without any approval being needed.

A public consultation found nine out of 10 respondents supported the move, the authority said.

Responses to the consultation included concerns around parking, overcrowding and the loss of family housing.

Council leader Rob Waltham said: "This change is about protecting neighbourhoods and making sure proposals that could affect communities are properly considered.

"It does not stop HMOs altogether, but it does ensure that local people have a voice and that every proposal is looked at carefully before it goes ahead."

The measures will come into force on 26 November after the required notice period.

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