Bassetlaw District Council has committed to developing planning tools that will provide greater control of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in our region.
Currently, HMOs that house between three and six people do not require planning permission, in addition to few restrictions on how many HMOs can be located in a single area.
Following the meeting of Cabinet on 2nd September, councillors approved two reports that will strengthen the approach to HMOs and allow the Council to better manage the numbers and locations of HMOs in specific areas. The measures will also give residents a greater say on the design of HMOs through the planning applications process.
Cllr Jonathan Slater, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for People and Transformation, who took the reports to Cabinet, said:
“We are taking steps to ensure that we have a clear set of planning tools and procedures in place that define where it is appropriate for HMOs to be located, that they are well managed and do not negatively impact existing neighbourhoods.
“These measures will allow us to make sure that residents living close to HMOs in Bassetlaw are able to enjoy their homes in the way they’d like, as well as continue to improve housing conditions, and hold applicants to account.
“Residents in parts of Bassetlaw have made it clear to us that they are concerned about the potential rise of HMOs in their communities.
“We have listened to these concerns and are taking action that will benefit existing residents and future tenants of HMOs.”
The reports that were approved by Cabinet included plans to review the existing Worksop Central Area Article 4 Direction, in addition to collating evidence to inform options for a new Article 4 Direction Area relating to Houses in Multiple Occupation.
A report on a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was also approved that will help to inform future planning decisions in relation to HMOs. A consultation on this SPD will begin shortly.
All actions approved as part of these reports will commence following endorsement by the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
You can read the agenda, minutes and reports for this meeting of Cabinet and all other council meetings in the ‘Council and democracy’ section of www.bassetlaw.gov.uk.
Last Updated on Wednesday, September 10, 2025