Warrington residents are being asked if they want their area to be granted greater powers to control and manage the conversions of homes into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
Charlotte Nichols, Member of Parliament for Warrington North, is encouraging her constituents to take part in the consultation. If granted, the new powers will come into force in September 2026.
Warrington Borough Council aims to take greater control over whether houses can be converted into HMOs, to maintain balanced communities and address the negative impacts.
If you would like to respond, please do so on the Warrington Borough Council website by the 5th November: warrington.gov.uk/article4-hmo
All documentation relating to this consultation can be viewed in paper format at the council’s office at 1 Time Square, Warrington, WA1 2NT during normal opening hours. Opening hours are 8:45am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Residents can also visit any Livewire Library located within one of the central six wards.
Charlotte Nichols MP said: “HMO’s are a regular topic of conversation when I am picking up casework on the doorstep in Warrington North. It is important that the housing offer in Warrington reflects the needs of the people who live here. This is your opportunity to have your say on whether HMOs should require planning permission before they can be converted or if HMO landlords should continue carrying out the work under permitted development. You have until the 5th of November to take part in the consultation, and I encourage my constituents in Poplars and Hulme, Orford and Fairfield and Howley to take part”.
Warrington Borough Council is carrying out its six-week consultation on an Article 4 Direction that will require planning permission to be granted before homes can be converted into HMO’s in the Central Six Wards.
It will apply to the following six wards
- Orford
- Poplars and Hulme
- Fairfield and Howley
- Latchford East
- Latchford West
- Bewsey and Whitecross
The central six wards have been identified for the Article 4 Direction as evidence shows that the prevalence of HMOs is greatest in these areas of Warrington.
The Article 4 Direction, if confirmed, will come into force next year, on 25 September 2026. In common with the majority of other councils who are introducing these controls, having a lead in period is important to ensure the results of the consultation can be taken into account and to safeguard against claims of compensation for loss of permitted development rights.
If you would like more information about the consultation, please contact Warrington Borough Council’s Planning Policy and Programmes Team at [email protected] or on 01925 442826.
