Labour gives HMO developers at least another year to continue.

Reform UK has criticised Labour after North Tyneside Council voted to delay new planning controls on Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

At Full Council on 23 July, Reform UK brought forward a motion calling for an Immediate Article 4 Direction to help protect communities in Wallsend, Howdon and Chirton & Percy Main from the continued proliferation of HMOs.

Labour used its majority to amend Reform's motion, replacing the proposed Immediate Article 4 Direction with a Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction. Full Council then approved the amended motion, meaning the new planning controls will not take effect for a further twelve months.

Cllr Richard Oliver said:

"We repeatedly asked what is difference between the evidence required for an Immediate Article 4 Direction versus that needed for a Non-Immediate one? Nobody could give us that answer.

Labour had a choice. They could protect our communities now or leave existing HMO development rights in place for another year. They chose delay."

Cllr Iain Graham said:

"Every additional HMO created during this twelve-month period is one that simply cannot be reversed later. That's why Reform argued for immediate action to protect our communities now. But Labour thought otherwise…"

Your local Reform UK Councillors will continue to campaign for planning policies that protect the character of local communities while ensuring every new development is properly considered through the planning process.