At their meeting today, Sefton Council cabinet members confirmed the implementation of Borough-wide measures to control the conversion of properties to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HIMOs).

Planning permission

By putting an Article 4 Direction covering the whole of Sefton, cabinet members will remove permitted development rights for converting a house into a small House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) without planning permission.

At today’s meeting, Sefton Council leader Cllr Marion Atkinson, said: “This as we all know does not stop houses of multiple occupation.

"What it does do is gives the community a voice and a say in what they would like to see in their neighbourhood and it drives up quality standards which is absolutely the right thing to do.”

Property owners will have to apply for planning consent before making such changes, allowing the Council to carefully consider the potential impact on the local community. Owner of larger properties already have to apply for planning permission before conversion to a HIMO.

A five-week public consultation was carried out and no objections were received. The Secretary of State raised no objections either.

Safe and stable neighbourhoods

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “We all want to live in neighbourhoods that are safe and stable places where families can thrive, confident that the area will stay family friendly.

“People across the Sefton are telling us that and we have listened and acted by drawing up this Article 4 Direction to give them that reassurance and a say in the future of where they live.

“I hope my cabinet colleagues will back this important measure which will mean anyone planning on converting a house into a small House in Multiple Occupation will have to apply for planning consent.”

Whole of Sefton

Article 4 Directions are already in place covering Bootle, Litherland, Waterloo and Southport, and in December, Sefton Council confirmed another covering for Aintree. The whole of Sefton will  now be covered.

The Sefton Council Cabinet meeting takes place at Bootle Town Hall, on Thursday 5th February at 10am.