Most people already know the issues with HMOs

SO CHARNWOOD Borough Council are going to use a £65,000 grant to look into something that has been an issue in the borough for many years.

Most people know what the implications and impact are It’s been discussed and well aired in the Echo and other media, so I’m not sure why we need a team of consultants to carry out something we all already know.

Perhaps they will start by investigating Charnwood Borough Council themselves and ask them why they grant so many planning permissions for three bedroomed houses to be turned into five and six bedroom student house accommodation?

Maybe I’m misunderstood but I thought we had Article 4 of the Housing Act to limit changing private dwelling houses to a maximum of three unrelated occupants in Loughborough yet they still pass these planning applications, we are also supposed to have a threshold approach by which it looks at properties within a 100m of a proposed shared house and if there are already more than 20 per cent, this is the factor which indicates permission ought to be refused. What a joke!

I live on the Kingfisher estate (70 per cent students to 30 per cent local residents) where I am that factor is more likely the other way round 100 per cent to 20 metres!!!

So when these consultants are looking into the ‘impact’ How about how the altering of these dwelling houses cuts off the supply line for the first time buyers, young couples and families who would like to live, work and enjoy the facilities near the town centre?

Then what happens if and when these houses come back on the market with their small living space and tiny bedrooms? Out of reach to first time buyers due to the cost to return them back to their former state (if it’s at all possible)

The £65,000 that could be better used elsewhere in our community, rather than this box ticking exercise in my view.

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