SIX-BED HMO IN HOLME HALL AVENUE GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT

THE green light for a six-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Bottesford has sparked criticism of the speed of the council in bringing tougher scrutiny of such devlopments.

- By IVAN MORRIS POXTON

A certificate of lawfulness has been issued for the conversion of a residential home in Holme Hall Avenue into a six-bed HMO. Usually, HMOs with six beds or fewer can go down the certificate route, which requires a less intensive process than seeking full planning permission.

North Lincolnshire Council had a special meeting in March, where it was unanimously agreed to impose an Article 4 direction for the entire local authority area. This will mean all new HMOs, regardless of size, will require planning permission.

But it is still to be legally enforced. At the special meeting, Cllr Max Bell (Labour - Ashby Lakeside Ward) name-checked the Holme Hall Avenue application as one of concern he had requested a call-in for. He hoped the Article 4 direction would be enforceable in time, but it has not been.

Scunthorpe Live understands the direction will not be legally enforceable this summer.