Planning permission may be needed for shared homes

Councillor Mark Simpson said the change would make sure plans were "properly considered"

People in Warwickshire are being asked for their views on plans that would mean homeowners need planning permission to convert properties into small shared houses.

North Warwickshire Borough Council is proposing an Article 4 Direction that would remove automatic planning rights for creating small houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), which are homes shared by between three and six unrelated people.

If introduced, the rule would mean anyone wanting to change a family home into a small HMO must first apply for planning permission.

The council said the move would help it manage the concentration and standards of shared housing across the borough.

Councillor Mark Simpson, chair of the planning and development board, said: "This Article 4 Direction will help the council keep a better balance of homes across the borough by requiring planning permission before a house can be turned into a small HMO.

"It's not a ban on shared housing, but a way to make sure proposals are properly considered."

The six-week consultation runs from 6 November to 18 December.