Summary:

We are calling on Tameside Council to take immediate action to prevent the over-concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Droylsden and to strengthen planning and licensing controls to protect residential communities.

Full petition text:

Droylsden is a residential town with a strong sense of community. Residents are increasingly concerned about the growing number of HMOs and the long-term impact they are having on local streets.

Once an HMO licence is granted, it can remain in place for up to 5 years. This effectively locks in high-occupancy shared housing in residential areas for a prolonged period, making early intervention essential.

Recently, Article 4 planning rules have come into force across Tameside, requiring planning permission for new HMOs. While this is a step in the right direction, in practice many applications are still approved, often after only minor adjustments. As it stands, these measures are not sufficient to prevent over-concentration.

Across Tameside, there has been a noticeable increase in HMO applications, including proposals to convert other types of properties into high-occupancy housing. This trend is contributing to cumulative pressure on towns like Droylsden.

Residents have raised concerns about:

- The concentration of HMOs within residential streets

- Increased pressure on local services

- Changes to the character and stability of neighbourhoods

- The impact of multiple occupants in single properties

In some cases, several individuals are housed within a single terraced property. For many long-standing residents, this represents a significant and rapid change to their immediate surroundings.

There is also concern that local opposition is not given sufficient weight in planning decisions. Where a clear majority of nearby residents object to a development, this should be a meaningful factor in the outcome.

There are also concerns about how planning applications are communicated to residents. The current approach, relying on online planning portals, leaflets through doors, and lamp post notices, is often not sufficient. Many residents remain unaware of applications until it is too late to respond.

We, the undersigned, call on Tameside Council to:

- Prevent further over-concentration of HMOs in Droylsden

- Strengthen planning policies and enforcement relating to HMOs

- Ensure the cumulative impact on residential areas is properly assessed

- Take action against unlicensed or non-compliant HMOs

- Give greater weight to strong and consistent local objections

- Improve how planning applications are advertised, ensuring residents are properly informed in a timely and accessible way

- Review whether additional restrictions are needed in areas already experiencing high levels of HMO development

Conclusion:

This petition reflects the concerns of residents who want to maintain the character, stability, and liveability of Droylsden as a residential community.

Signatures:

We ask residents and supporters to sign this petition to demonstrate the level of concern and to support stronger local decision-making.

Thank you,

Kane Hamer

Droylsden Against HMOs