An evidence base produced by the Council exploring the spatial distribution and impact of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), typically occupied by student households, indicates that it is necessary to control the number of HMOs to ensure that communities do not become imbalanced. This control will be achieved through an Article 4 Direction, which comes into force on 20 April 2012. The Article 4 Direction removes permitted development rights and requires a planning application to be submitted to change a property into an HMO. The Draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) provides guidance on how these planning applications will be determined.

Consultation on the SPD was undertaken from Monday 23 January 2012 to Monday 5 March 2012. The Council have prepared a Consultation Statement which summarises the consultation methods used and the responses received. Drawing on the responses received during the consultation a revised SPD was prepared and approved by Members for Development Management purposes as a material consideration when determining HMO planning applications.

The approved Draft SPD, Consultation Statement and Supporting Papers are available to download below. You can also phone 01904 551482 or email integratedstrategy@york.gov.uk to obtain a copy of the documents.

City wide mapping, showing concentrations of HMOs at output area level (approximately 125 properties), is also available below. It should be noted that this is for information only, as a guide to where current high concentrations of HMOs exist. Further work to identify neighbourhood areas and undertake street level assessments will be carried out when dealing with planning applications for new HMOs.

Information on our pre application advice service is available via our Pre-Application Advice webpage. This provides answers to common enquiries, and guidance on our schedule of fees for advice . For further information please contact planning enquires at planning.enquires@york.gov.uk or 01904 551553.

Download the Draft SPD and Maps

• Controlling the Concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation SPD
• 2011 HMO Map (zoomed in) 
• 2011 HMO Map (showing the whole city)

Download the Supporting Papers and Consultation Statement

• Consultation Statement
• Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Report (January 2012)
• Houses in Multiple Occupation Technical Paper (2011)
• Student Housing' Report to the Local Development Framework Working Group 6 September 2010 and Minutes
• HMOs and Article 4 Directions' Report to the Local Development Framework Working Group 10 January 2011 and Minutes
• Minutes of Working Groups' Report to Executive 1 February 2011 and Minutes
• The Distribution and Condition of HMOs in York' Report to Cabinet 1 November 2011 and Minutes
• 'Controlling the Concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document' Report to Cabinet 10 January 2012 and Minutes
• 'Controlling the Concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document Consultation Outcomes' Report to Cabinet 3 April 2012 and Minutes (tbc)
• Article 4 Direction and Plan

Further Information

If you would like any further information, please contact the Integrated Strategy Unit on (01904) 551482 or email: integratedstrategy@york.gov.uk

Information on our pre application advice service is available via our Pre-Application Advice webpage. This provides answers to common enquiries, and guidance on our schedule of fees for advice . For further information please contact planning enquires at planning.enquires@york.gov.uk or 01904 551553.

View more information on the Article 4 Direction
View more information on the Local Development Framework
View more information on CYC Planning Advice and Guidance