New Rules to Curb Home Conversions in Reading

Reading Borough Council has agreed rules to curb family homes being split into flats for students and young professionals by expanding an Article 4 Direction.

Small conversions into homes of multiple occupation (HMOs) of three to four people usually dont need planning permission as they are permitted development. The Article 4 Direction removes that right in a wider area so owners must apply for consent.

The new restrictions cover south of Queens Road and north of London Road, Newtown, Northcourt Avenue and the Hexham Road estate.

The committee approved the proposed direction unanimously on November 12. It wont take effect for 12 months and is subject to consultation and adjustment by the housing ministry.

Micky Leng (Labour, Whitley) said: "I'm glad that the area is extending, particularly south, mainly east but the south as well, picking up a lot of the old council stock in around Newcastle Rd, Corbridge Road, Hexham Road, Hadrian's Walk East is in there, my nan used to live there."

"I'm not gunna drag on, but these Article 4s work, and I know the government is looking at them, because a lot of HMOs can change the characteristics of an area."

Cllr Andrew Hornsby-Smith (Labour, Church) welcomed the change: "It's aimed at preserving neighbourhoods that need preserving from massive character change."

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter