York councillors are warning that 20% of new homes in the city could disappear if local planning laws are not tightened up to prevent landlords from converting larger family homes into houses of multiple occupation for the city’s student population.
York Local Plan
The Local Plan sets out how many homes are needed in York between now and 2032. It also ring fences the areas of land required for building. The latest draft of the Local plan was debated by councillors, but one councillor is warning that many of the planned new homes could be converted into HMOs, which will reduce the overall amount of housing available.
Student Housing in York
Other York councillors say that student housing needs to be taken into account. Some claim that increasing availability of purpose built student halls of residence and larger accommodation blocks, particularly in the Hull Road area of the city, could solve the issue anyway.
York council leader, David Carr, has given his backing for HMO licensing in the city to be extended to smaller shared houses, including homes less than three storeys high. However, although he is still in favour of that plan, he is not willing to commit to wider planning changes until he has seen more evidence that they are needed.
The draft Local Plan says 841 homes per year need to be built in York. These will include student accommodation for people attending the city’s universities.
