Council leaders have backed plans to introduce new HMO controls across 14 Newcastle-under-Lyme wards, requiring planning permission for future small HMO conversions.
What’s new: Council leaders have backed an Article 4 direction that would remove permitted development rights for small HMOs in 14 Newcastle-under-Lyme wards.
Why it matters: If approved, new conversions for up to six unrelated occupants in the affected areas would require planning permission.
What’s next: Full council is expected to make the final decision next month, with the Article 4 direction then subject to a statutory six week consultation.
This article is based on reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), a BBC funded initiative set up to strengthen reporting on local democratic issues. The Staffordshire Signal has taken part in the scheme since September 2026, which means we're able to draw on a selection of LDRS stories alongside our own.
Council leaders have backed new controls on houses in multiple occupation in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is proposing to remove permitted development rights for small HMOs across most areas of the borough, meaning all new conversions will require planning permission.
At the moment, houses can be turned into HMOs for up to six unrelated people without a planning application.
Cabinet members at the Reform UK-led council voted in favour of an Article 4 direction to remove the permitted development rights in 14 of Newcastle’s 21 wards.
They say this will give councillors and local people more control over the spread of HMOs, which have been linked to problems with anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and on-street parking in various parts of the borough.
The remaining seven wards, which mostly cover rural areas, will not be affected by the change, although the council says it will keep this under review.
The final decision to make the Article 4 direction with immediate effect will be taken at full council next month.
Council leader Jonathan Gullis said: “This is an extremely important piece of work that many residents have been crying out for, for a long time. It’s not a silver bullet, and it doesn’t guarantee that no HMOs will be created. But what it does do is give power back to those who the people have elected.
“It will ensure that HMOs are in line with the policies of the local plan, and that we don’t have an over-concentration in certain areas. HMOs are a strain on public services. They attract more litter and fly-tipping and additional anti-social behaviour.”
Allan Clarke, interim head of service, told the cabinet meeting that the Article 4 direction would be subject to a statutory six week consultation, before being confirmed.
He emphasised the fact that the new controls would not be retrospective, meaning existing HMOs will not be affected.
Mr Clarke said: “The proposals would not prohibit HMOs but would require planning permission for such schemes, so they can be considered against policies and the council’s recently adopted local plan, alongside any other material considerations.”
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