Policy H/MO: Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

HMOs form an important part of the housing market in Cambridge, with a significant number of HMOs occupied by students. The high cost of housing in Cambridge makes HMOs a more affordable option for many than self-contained accommodation. HMOs can change the nature of an area, and can be seen to be associated with negative impacts to neighbourhoods, such as anti-social behaviours, car parking issues, and overcrowding.

The

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

therefore needs to set out how the Councils will consider proposals for HMOs and the specifications that should be met so that HMOs provide a standard of accommodation equivalent to that provided in other new residential developments.  

Responses received to the First Conversation highlighted the need to create balanced and integrated communities by providing a mix of housing types, sizes, tenures, ownership and management that reflect the findings of the Councils evidence of housing needs of specific groups. This included support for HMOs, as part of making housing more widely accessible.

1. No policy - This is not the preferred approach as the Councils consider that a criteria based policy is needed as the considerations for HMOs are different to other types of development and therefore it is necessary to safeguard local amenity.

2. To include a policy with a presumption against further HMOs - This is not the preferred approach as it would not allow sufficient flexibility in the housing market to deliver the housing needed for different groups, including students.

3. Not requiring new HMOs to meet space and amenity standards - This is not the preferred approach because national planning policy states that planning policies should ensure that developments create places with a high standard of amenity for existing and future users.

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

  : Topic paper 7: Homes

South Cambridgeshire

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018 - None

Cambridge

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018

• Policy 48: Housing in multiple occupation

Our consultation for this phase is now closed.