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Bid to tackle Leeds student 'ghettos'
Campaigners in Leeds today welcomed a planning shake-up that could stop the spread of so-called student ghettos.
Housing and Planning Minister John Healey has announced that local councils are to get new powers to deal with problems caused by high concentrations of shared rental homes.
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From April, council planning permission will be needed when a property's use changes to a shared house where three or more tenants are not related.
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Mr Healey's announcement has been hailed as a positive step by Dr Richard Tyler, from the Leeds Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Lobby.
It brings together more than 20 community groups concerned about the impact shared housing is having on Headingley, the heart of the city's studentland.
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Dr Tyler, who is also co-ordinator of the National HMO Lobby, said: "Residents will heave a sigh of relief that at last action is being taken.
"They have no illusion that the problems will be solved overnight, or indeed for some time to come.
"But at last local communities will regain control over the future of their neighbourhoods."
Mr Healey yesterday also announced plans to give local authorities more leeway to introduce landlord licensing schemes without Government permission.
He said: "Private landlords play a big part in meeting the housing needs of millions so I want to raise the standards and stamp out (those] that drag down the reputation of the rest.
"Councils know their communities and are best placed to help tenants facing landlords who rent unsafe or substandard accommodation and take little responsibility for the problems caused for neighbours."
At the time of the 2001 census, students made up around 60 per cent of Headingley's population.
Campaigners say areas dominated by people with no long-term community ties can be blighted by environmental problems and anti-social behaviour.
* The planning rules overhaul will not affect existing HMO stock, as they will have an established use at the date the legislation changes.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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