HMO Victory For Local Residents

HMO Victory For Local Residents

Following months of needless extra consultation the new administration at the council has bowed to pressure and the new Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) zone came into effect as originally planned on the 25th of November.

Under the previous Liberal Democrat administration Newcastle City Council gave notice of its intention to make an Article 4 Direction across eight wards in the city, which includes parts of East Gosforth. Years of consultation, negotiations with government, and court cases led to the agreed zone being designated last year, to come into effect this November. Inexplicably, only a few weeks ago Labour decided that yet more consultation was required. Councillor David Slesenger said, "This created intolerable uncertainty for local residents. This issue was already sorted. There was no need for any more discussions or submissions to council. All they had to do was leave it alone. Simple as that." David added,

"However, we fought them and won!"

The Zone includes; South Gosforth Terraces, Gosforth Terraces and most of High West Jesmond While not a panacea the zone will mean landlords have to seek planning permission to convert family homes into HMOs. The idea is to preserve the mix of long term residents, professionals, families and students.

The Next Campaign - Won Already!!

Residents In The Rest Of High West Jesmond Now Have Their Own Zone

Following a year of uncertainty it has been announced that the rest of High West Jesmond will also now be part of an Article 4 Zone. The new zone was officially declared on the 8th of December and like the original zone, for legal reasons it will take a year for it to come into effect, although the council says this is "subject to confirmation".

Councillor Peter Leggott, himself a resident in that area said, "I am extremely pleased with this outcome. It is what we have been fighting for. Making this area an Article 4 zone decreases the chances that more family homes will be converted into HMOs. This is great news for me and my neighbours."