Liverpool Council proposes tougher planning controls on HMOs
Liverpool City Council is proposing stronger planning controls on Houses in Multiple Occupation as part of its new Local Plan.
The proposed policies are intended to prevent excessive concentrations of HMOs in particular neighbourhoods, protect the availability of family homes and support more balanced communities.
They follow concerns raised by residents and would provide the Council with a stronger planning framework when assessing future HMO applications.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet has approved the policies for inclusion in the new Liverpool Local Plan to 2043, which will guide the city’s development over the next 17 years.
The plan will shape decisions covering housing, employment, regeneration, infrastructure, transport and environmental protection across Liverpool.
Under the proposals, planning policies would be used to manage the concentration and location of HMOs while ensuring a variety of housing options remains available throughout the city.
The Council says the new framework would also provide residents, landlords and developers with greater certainty about where future HMOs may be considered appropriate.
Once formally adopted, the plan will replace the existing Liverpool Local Plan, which was adopted in 2022, and become the primary basis for determining planning applications in the city.
Local Plans are a legal requirement for councils and establish a long-term vision for how an area should grow and develop.
The proposed Liverpool Local Plan aims to balance the need for new homes and investment with the needs of existing communities, while promoting housing quality and mixed, sustainable neighbourhoods.
Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, said:
“A Local Plan is about achieving the right balance between accommodating growth and protecting the character and sustainability of existing communities.
“We know residents have concerns about high concentrations of HMOs in some parts of Liverpool, and this Plan strengthens the planning framework available to help manage that issue.
“The policies are designed to support balanced neighbourhoods, protect the availability of family housing and ensure that future HMO proposals are considered in the context of their impact on local communities.
“By setting clear planning policies for the future, we can provide certainty for residents while ensuring Liverpool continues to offer a range of housing choices that meet different needs.”
