Ipswich Borough Council to crackdown on HMOs in town

Ipswich Borough Council is to enforce an Article 4 direction relating to HMOs from Saturday, June 1.

The Article 4 direction, which was approved by the government, will ensure that all developers who wish to turn a house into an HMO in parts of the town will need to seek planning permission, no matter the number of occupants.

In October 2023, the council said it wanted to introduce this initiative as HMOs with fewer than six occupants didn't need planning permission to change the use of the property.

Councillor Carole Jones (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council portfolio holder for planning and museums, said: "HMOs provide housing for a range of people, and they are important.

"But, up until now, smaller HMOs didn't need planning permission, meaning we didn't know they were happening and couldn't take into account whether they were suitable for residents.

"The Article 4 direction was a huge task, because you needed to specify an area where it would come into effect."

The direction affects most wards in the town, with certain roads being more prominent for HMOs to open than others.

Map of areas falling under Article 4 below:

Areas highlighted fall within Article 4 (Image: Google Maps)

MORE: Plans submitted for nine-bed HMO near Ipswich rail station

This includes Grove Lane, part of Alexandra ward, where there are currently 15 HMOs on the street - with plans submitted for another.

Kitchener Road in Westgate Ward is another with HMOs on the street, despite not having much parking.

Policy DM20 will also come into effect, which outlines criteria to developers for them to consider when applying.

This includes whether the HMO will impact employment, nearby residents, the amenity of the area and if there will be sufficient car parking, lighting, outdoor space and refuse storage.

Ipswich Borough Council will have more control over HMO's as of June 1 (Image: Newsquest)

It also states that HMO proposals will not be approved if they result in an over-concentration of HMOs.

This includes no more than two HMOs next to each other, HMOs not being either side of a self-contained house or flat, no more than two HMOs on one side of the road within a run of 20 properties, and no more than one HMO on one side of the road in a street with fewer than 20 properties.

Ms Jones continued: "This policy will mean we have control over HMOs of all sizes.

"It is an ideal situation because it provides for a reasonable balance within any given area and provides proper living conditions for people in Ipswich."