‘HMO Cap is vital to protecting residential areas’ - Derry councillor claims
Cllr Niallais made the comments as Derry and Strabane District Council prepares to ratify its Local Development Plan later this month
A ten percent cap on Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) in non-city centre streets is the best way of protecting the residential character of neighbourhoods surrounding our university, Sinn Féin councillor Grace Uí Niallais has said.
Cllr Niallais was speaking as the council prepares to ratify its Local Development Plan later this month in a move that will clarify policy on how HMO developments are managed going forward.
She commented: “We recognise the expansion of the University as a key economic driver for the city but this expansion needs to be managed carefully.
“We believe that the best way to do this is for the University expansion to move towards the city centre, meaning that people will be able to buy or rent family homes in residential areas.
“Our local development plan will shape the development of our city and district to 2032 and beyond so we felt it important to include a policy to manage HMO development. We proposed a 30% cap in HMO management areas - which we believe should be defined as the city centre - and for a 10% cap everywhere else.
“This is vital not only in terms of protecting the character of residential neighbourhoods but also in ensuring clarity for everyone going forward.
“In the past, we have seen planning decisions of our council being overturned at appeal because we have no policy in this area so we believe the adoption of the plan will strengthen our position to manage HMO development in a sustainable manner.”