New law to halt student takeover welcomed

Local residents association, the Winton Forum, has been reported as welcoming the enforcement of a new law designed to tackle some of the negative effects of student housing in parts of Bournemouth.

As reported previously on this website, the Winton Forum had asked for existing legislation to be applied to student homes to try and slow down the spread of student housing which often leaves residents upset over noise, litter and drunken or anti-social behaviour.

The law means landlords will need planning permission to create a shared house of three to six people.

Bournemouth council has said there are 2,000 Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Bournemouth.  On Cardigan Road in Winton, more than 90 per cent of the homes are now HMOs used by students, with Moordown and Talbot Village starting to experience some of the same problems as well.

Conor is responsible for helping to secure this decision and has commented: “I passionately believe that it is a major asset to have the University and the Arts University but it is also vital that we maintain our sense of balance and community.”

There is opposition from private landlords who say this will make shared housing more expensive and less accessible to young professionals.

However, Bournemouth Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Robert Lawton, said: “The new policy does not stop HMOs coming forward but it does take away some of their permitted development rights and allows more consideration to be given to any new proposals.

“This is a very welcome move and will help us and the public to have a greater say in the number and location of future HMOs.”