Liverpool divided over timeline for HMO planning controls

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 20 Oct, 15:02 · Archive

Liverpool City Council has approved tighter planning controls on houses of multiple occupation, but the Liberal Democrats have called in the decision, delaying implementation.

Liverpool City Council approved plans last week requiring planning permission before homes can be converted into houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in additional areas. The changes would apply to neighbourhoods including Kirkdale, Everton, County, Walton, Orrell Park, parts of Fazakerley, Old Swan, Stoneycroft, Calderstones and Sefton Park.

Implementation has been paused after the Liberal Democrat opposition group called in the decision, which allows councillors to ask the leadership to reconsider. The call-in means the measure, originally expected to take effect on 20 October, will now be delayed by up to six weeks. Liberal Democrat group leader Carl Cashman said introducing the measures in stages would leave some communities without protection and encourage developers to focus on other parts of the city. 'Labour isn't solving the problem, it's moving it to new areas of the city,' he said.

Labour said the phased approach extends protections to additional areas while wider measures are prepared, with city-wide controls planned for next year. The council's cabinet member for growth and economy accused the opposition of not understanding the consequences of the call-in. The new rules would remove the automatic right to convert family homes to HMOs accommodating three to six people, requiring such conversions to go through the planning process instead, though they would not ban HMOs outright.

How it is being reported

• New controls to restrict spread of Knowsley HMOs amid housing and cost of living concernsThis follows similar recent changes in Liverpool and the WirralLiverpool Echo · 20 Oct, 16:18
• Row breaks out over Liverpool HMO plan as tightened rules put on holdPolitical leaders have clashed over decision by opposition group to call-in cabinet move to change HMO planning rulesLiverpool Echo · 20 Oct, 14:46
• Row over Liverpool HMO control rolloutOpposition councillors claim the limited changes will shift development into other areas.BBC Merseyside · 20 Oct, 06:16

In this story: Liverpool City Council · Liberal Democrats · Labour · Carl Cashman · Liverpool

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem