Licensing of Houses of Multiple Occupancy is set to be extended in the Barrow area.

Following a meeting between Barrow and Furness MP, Michelle Scrogham, Labour Group Leader, Councillor Derek Brook and Westmorland and Furness council leader Councillor Jonathan Brook.

Michelle Scrogham MP and Councillor Derek Brook said: “We are pleased that Westmorland and Furness council has agreed to take concrete steps to address the proliferation of HMOs after we have been raising this issue with them over a long period.

“We will look carefully at the details once they published to make sure that they are as robust as possible. 

“We urgently need to see the extension of licensing of HMOs as an important first step while the necessary work is done to introduce an Article 4 direction to remove permitted development rights for conversion of local homes. We are pleased that the local authority has agreed with us on this.

“The rapid increase of HMOs in certain areas is pricing local families out of the housing market, affecting the character of local neighbourhoods, straining local services, reducing community cohesion, and causing issues around street parking and waste collection. 

“While HMOs have always played an important role in providing flexible housing – particularly for contractors working at BAE Systems and NHS workers, and will obviously be needed as accommodation for students studying at the new University of Cumbria campus – it is vital that this is managed in a way that protects residents and the wider community.

“We must not travel any further down the blind alley of losing more of the family homes which are already in short supply due to the housing crisis in our town. These homes are needed by local people, but are also vital if we are to succeed in our vision of encouraging people to move here permanently, to support the expansion of the shipyard over the coming years. While we recognise that the delivery of the Team Barrow 10 Year Plan will address many of these issues in the longer term – there is a need for action in the interim period while that plan is implemented.

“We look forward to seeing the full details of the council’s proposals as well as a timeline for their urgent introduction.”