Dundee LibDem councillor welcomes consultation on tightening up HMO rules

11.08.45am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 10th Mar 2006

Cllr Fraser Macpherson welcomes consultation on tightening up HMO rules

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Tay Bridges Ward, Fraser Macpherson, today (Friday 10th March) welcomed the launch of a six week consultation period on proposals to issue supplementary planning guidance on houses in multiple occupation in the City.

If brought in, this would provide a policy basis for controlling multiple occupancy in new residential developments and seek to avoid excessive concentrations of HMOs in particular parts of Dundee.

Fraser said today, "There's been real concern expressed by many of my constituents about the HMO 'saturation point' being reached in parts of the West End and I am therefore pleased that the Council is launching consultation today tightening up the rules.

"Licensing HMOs has had a positive effect but I welcome this consultation which seeks to avoid excessive concentrations of HMOs in the 'Central Dundee' area, assesses the need for planning permission for new HMOs and would seek to prevent the occupation of new residential developments by 3 or more unrelated people in Central Dundee and near higher education institutions.

"Personally I would go further than the proposals particularly in relation to the point at which planning permission must be sought but what is important is that there is consultation on the proposals and I am pleased this is happening," concluded Fraser.

Related Link:

HMO Consultation Paper - Dundee City Council.