Have your say on HMOs and Letting Boards in Jesmond
You currently have the chance to voice your views on two Council policies - the policy in connection with Letting Boards and the policy relating to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The decisions on these policies will be important for North Jesmond.
Letting Boards
The Council is consulting on the rules in relation to Letting Boards. You can find details on the Council website: Go to http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/planning then towards the bottom of the page click on PLANNING NEWS. This should take you to a very short online questionnaire which is simple to complete.
The consultation period for letting boards ends on 4 November 2011. Depending on the results of their consultation the Council may seek a Government direction which will allow for stricter controls on letting Boards.
Councillor Peter Breakey says: "I know that a lot of residents are very irritated by the number of letting boards in North Jesmond. Boards are often left up all year long and blight the visual appearance of the area. There has been a voluntary code for agents which was intended to improve the situation, but this has been breached time and time again."
"This consultation by the Council is the first step in a lengthy process. I would encourage all residents to make their views known. I shall be continuing to push for the implementation of more effective controls."
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
We all know that the character of North Jesmond has been radically altered - often for the worse - by the huge increase in the number of HMOs over the last decade. Your councillors agree with the many, many residents who think that there should be stringent controls on any increases in the number of HMOs in this area.
A legal order in relation to HMOs (an Article 4 Direction) will come into force in November. This will have the effect of making it more difficult - for the time being - to convert a family home into an HMO. The Council is however consulting on the policy which will dictate how the Article 4 direction operates in future. It is crucial that anyone who wants to prevent an increase in the number of HMOs in Jesmond responds to this consultation.
Details of the consultation can be found on the Council website: Go to http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/planning then, towards the bottom of the page, click on PLANNING NEWS.
The consultation period in respect of HMOs ends on 4 November 2011.
Councillor Peter Andras adds: "The proposed new council policy will provide some protection for North Jesmond but it does not go far enough. We will support the good proposals but will suggest some changes to make the protection stronger."