Residents calling for action over the increase of HMOs on their doorsteps

Residents in a prominent South Tyneside street are calling for an end to the number of multi-occupancy homes being approved by council chiefs.

- by Gareth Crickmer

Residents in and around Westoe Road in South Shields say they are furious over the number of former family homes being converted into five or more bedroom lets-homes of multiple occupation (HMOs).

They are demanding council chiefs reexamine their policy around HMOs-and clamp down on the number in their neighbourhood.

In the past few weeks, they have secured a nearly 400-name petition calling for change-and won the backing of ward councillors.

They plan to raise the matter at a town meeting later this month and are pushing the council's Cabinet to change the rules when it meets in November.

Cllr Paul Brenen said three properties on a stretch of the one-way road - close to the Westoe pub-had recently been granted HMO licences.

And he fears two other for-sale houses closer to South Shields Town Hall are next in line.