Council invites residents to “Have your say on new HMO planning measures”

WARRINGTON Borough Council is inviting residents to “Have your say on new HMO planning measures” to give the council greater control in managing the conversions of properties into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

The council is holding a six-week consultation on an Article 4 Direction that will require planning permission for changes of use to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the Central Six Wards.
This is a planning measure that removes automatic rights to convert family homes (use class C3) into HMOs (use class C4) without needing planning permission.

It will apply to the following Central six wards:

• Orford
• Poplars and Hulme
• Fairfield and Howley
• Latchford East
• Latchford West
• Bewsey and Whitecross

The Central 6 wards have been identified for the Article 4 Direction as evidence shows that the prevalence of HMOs is greatest in these areas. The council will continue to monitor HMOs and their impacts across the borough as a whole to establish whether there is need to extend this area in the future.
The council aims to gain greater control over the conversion of dwellings into HMOs to manage negative impacts like increased parking issues, noise, and changes to neighbourhood character while ensuring balanced and sustainable communities.
As well as being available at warrington.gov.uk/article4-hmo, all documentation relating to this consultation can be viewed in paper format at the following locations:

• 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.
• At any Livewire Library located within one of the central 6 wards. Please check Library opening times before travelling.

You can submit comments by emailing localplan@warrington.gov.uk with “HMO consultation” as the subject line, or by sending a written letter to: Planning Policy and Programmes (HMO Consultation), East Annex, Town Hall, Sankey Street, WA1 1UH
The consultation runs until 5 November 2025. All representations received during the consultation period will be taken into account by the council when considering whether to confirm the article 4 direction.
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 the Planning Policy and Programmes Team at localplan@warrington.gov.uk or on 01925 442826.