The Council gave notice of its intention to make an Article 4 Direction on 24th November 2010 and the consultation process ran up to 07th January 2010. The Council notified the Secretary of State and consulted with major stakeholders such as the city’s universities and landlord forums on 01st December 2010. There was a site notice in the Newcastle Journal on 24th November 2010, site notices were displayed on 12 streets within the affected areas, City Council Libraries and Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) offices and on the Council’s website to advise people of the changes and give them the opportunity to make representations.
A total of 9 representations were received along with a petition in support of the Direction from the Jesmond Residents Association. Three letters were received from residents and Members in support of the Direction. Residents were greatly in favour of restrictions on HMOs, and conversions to HMOs from private houses. In addition, a 32 signature petition in support was received from Jesmond Residents Association in support of the introduction of a direction.
Thank you to all who submitted comments.
Following consideration of all of the comments received, the Council has confirmed that the Article 4 Direction dated 24 November 2010 is to come into force for the Area of Housing Mix on 25th November 2011. The Article 4 Direction will require that an application for planning permission be submitted for a change of use from C3 to C4 use. Planning applications will be judged against national and local planning policy and all other material considerations.
The Council through the review of the Supplementary Planning Document ( SPD) will look at other areas where there is potential need for further control, notably St Gabriels’, Jesmond Dene Road and other adjacent streets in High West Jesmond, including Beatty Avenue, Sturdee Gardens, Keyes Gardens, Cromer Gardens and Hillside Crescent. A revised SPD should be available for consultation in the summer and we hope to have it in place in November, in line with the Article 4 Direction coming into force.
Under the current fees regulations planning applications which are required for a change of use from a C3 dwelling house to a C4 HMO within the Article 4 Direction area will not require a planning fee.
Page last updated: 16 August, 2011
