A series of events organised by the Council to raise understanding and awareness about new planning and licencing controls over houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) within Bath get underway from today.
The aims of the initiatives are to control the growth of HMOs and improve the standard and management of these properties. Market stalls and open events are being held as follows:
- Bath Spa University Student Union, 18th October, 11am – 2pm;
- University of Bath Student Union, 23rd October, 11am – 2pm;
- One Stop Shop, 2 – 4 Manvers Street, 23rd October, 6pm – 8.30pm; presentations will be run at 7pm and 8pm;
- St Alphege’s Parish Hall, Oldfield Lane, 24th October, 5.30pm – 8pm;
- Oldfield Baptist Church Hall, Moorland Road, 25th October, 3pm – 7.30pm.
The consultations on both proposals run until 30th November 2012 and are also online: www.bathnes.gov.uk/hmo
Councillor Tim Ball (Lib-Dem, Twerton), Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning, said, “The events are all excellent opportunities for local people and landlords to learn more about what Bath & North East Somerset Council is proposing for HMOs and how they can have their say.
“We want to ensure that there is a fairer mix or larger family homes and HMOs in Bath through the planning process by addressing this issue in a similar way to other University cities across the country, such as Exeter and Oxford, who face similar issues to our city. At the same time, we want to ensure a good standard of HMOs for people living in them and have more powers at our disposal to address any complaints bad landlords.”
Consultation documents for additional licensing proposals are available in the One Stop Shop on Manvers Street and Moorland Road Library. The public can view them on request.
