Arlene Foster highlights draft plans to tackle ‘Houses in Multiple Occupancy’

Arlene Foster, Minister for the Environment, today highlighted draft plans to tackle the issue of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

Speaking after a visit to Belfast’s Holyland, the Minister said she had heard at first hand some of the issues facing the community, including the adverse impact HMOs can have on local communities. The Minister said:

“The Planning Service has undertaken consultation on a Draft Plan aimed at addressing many of the issues which were raised during my visit today and I hope to formally adopt the final Plan later this year. The Draft Plan represents one of the most progressive planning approaches to tackling houses in multiple occupation in Northern Ireland.

“However, these issues can not be tackled by Planning Service alone. Joint working with other agencies, residents and landlords will be imperative if the issues are to be addressed,” the Minister added.

The Draft Plan seeks to tackle issues which tend to arise when dwellings are shared by several young single people, for example, student housing in south Belfast’s Holyland. It aims to protect residential areas, accommodate the need for multiple occupation and contribute to regeneration.

It also proposes limiting the number of houses that can be used for multiple occupation in most parts of the city at between 10% and 30%. However, HMO development will be encouraged in other places providing they are outside traditional residential areas. The Draft Plan promotes the development of purpose built student housing as an alternative to traditional housing.

The Minister’s visit was at the invitation of local MLA Jimmy Spratt and the Holyland Regeneration Association. During her visit, the Minister also praised the joint working approach established with the City Council and other agencies.

Notes to editors

1. HMOs are dwellings (flats or houses) which are occupied by 3 or more unrelated people as defined in the Planning (Use Classes) Order (Northern Ireland ) 2004 and The Housing Order (Northern Ireland)
2. Issues previously raised, particularly in respect of the Holyland area of South Belfast, included
3. ·Anti-social behaviour
4. ·Lack of community integration
5. ·Service delivery problems e.g. bin collection
6. ·Late night street noise and disturbance
7. ·Neglected appearance of dwellings, gardens and curtilages
8. ·Dumping of household goods, especially at end of tenancies
9. ·A higher incidence of crime, especially burglaries.
10. Lifestyle choice and increases house a price has lead to a significant increase in multiple occupation. It tends to occur in larger and older properties closer to the City, e.g. South Belfast. Students, young singles and migrant workers are attracted to this market.
11. The Plan will facilitate the development of purpose built student units. This would ease pressure on the housing surrounding the University area.
12. Capping elsewhere will hopefully prevent a re-occurrence of the Holyland issues in other parts of the city

6)Copies of the Plan can be obtained from

Planning Service,

Bedford House,

Bedford Street,

Belfast

BT2 7FD

Tel: 02890 252944

Alternatively the Plan can be viewed the Planning Service website

http://www.planningni.gov.uk/

7) Media enquiries contact DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.