Concerns expressed over number of houses in multiple occupations in Portadown

Speaking at an ABC Planning & Regulatory Services committee meeting held on November 5, the DUP representative for Portadown DEA stated: “We look at all the major towns in ABC. We look at Banbridge, for example, there’s one HMO.

“We look at Lurgan where there is a housing need, and there are only three HMOs. We look at Armagh, five, and then you look at Portadown where there are 38 [HMOs], with 14 in one street.

“Within recent weeks, there have been a number of HMOs that have been approved.

“Are we as a council any further on with regards to introducing some form of restrictions? Because we’ve sat through a number of workshops now on this very topic.

“Without [planning restrictions], I think members are effectively powerless to consider applications before us.

“So, if we can just have an update as to where we actually stand.”

Director of Regulatory Services, Facilities & Assets, Elizabeth Reaney explained that this planning issue was high on the agenda: “As you know, the licensing of HMOs falls to Environmental Health, but it is processed through Belfast City Council.

“We had a presentation and training last night for elected members, and I think it’d be worthy to share that with all elected members. So, my ask will be from this meeting that it is shared with all elected members.

“There’s been a number of workshops with elected members around HMOs, but certainly at that training last night, from the overview from Belfast City Council who provide the licensing side of things, there was a certain degree of reassurance provided to members as to the local situation, and how the licensing process is taking place.”

Head of Planning, Damian Mulligan wanted to provide some further reassurance that tougher planning rules are being looked into, however he was not at liberty to discuss what is currently being planned, as the issue is being treated as a confidential matter.

This means that it can only be debated behind closed doors, with only elected representatives and council officers in attendance, and the video feed switched off.

He commented: “Members, you’ll recall there was a workshop back in August, in relation to the Local Development Plan, and specifically consideration of a draft policy in relation to HMOs.

“That was shared with the parties,[for them] to come back with comments to the team. We’re not in confidential and I’m not in a position to get into details about what that draft policy looks like at the moment.

“Members will have either been to the workshop, or it will have been shared with them.

“We will be bringing forward the draft planning strategy of our Local Development Plan later this business year. Because we’re not in confidential, I’m limited in terms of what more I can [say] at this stage.

“Members will also be aware that while the draft planning strategy is pending, we do have a position where any applications that come before us, we will be looking at those in the context of current planning policy, in particular Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) So, for example, we can look at impacts on amenity, car parking, traffic.

“We’re also working very closely with the Environmental Health team, and if they have any evidence-based indicators of concern relating to high-density development in the vicinity of a site which is proposed for an HMO, they will make the Planning department aware of that, so that it can be taken into consideration.”

Just this month, three HMOs have been granted planning permission in Portadown, at 2 Goban Street, 62 Church Street, and 98 Church Street, while a number of others are being considered.