Have your say on proposals to further manage the increase of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

Article date: 30 September 2026

A formal consultation on the proposals has launched, providing residents, landlords, businesses and other interested parties with an opportunity to share their views.

The proposal for an Article 4 Direction forms part of the council's commitment to support balanced, sustainable and thriving communities, while making sure that a range of housing options remains available to meet local needs.

Councillor Jack Benyon, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning said:

"My priority is to ensure that St Helens Borough remains a great place to live for its residents. Protecting the supply of family housing across the borough is an important principle we aim to follow. Family homes form a vital part of sustainable neighbourhoods, helping to support local schools, community facilities and long-term community stability.

"At the moment most homes can be converted into HMOs without needing planning permission under permitted development rights. An Article 4 Direction would change this, meaning the council could review each proposal and consider its impact on local residents, parking, services and the character of the neighbourhood. This will mean the loss of family housing stock is carefully considered and managed especially where there is evidence of growing pressure." 

Residents and community groups have raised concerns about the combined impact of having more homes converted into HMOs across the borough. Residents are worried that the increasing number of HMO's is causing pressure on parking, waste collection services and local infrastructure, and issues relating to property management, absentee landlords and anti-social behaviour. 

The purpose of the proposed Article 4 Direction is to provide a planning framework that lets the council consider each proposal on its individual merits and assess its potential impact on the surrounding area, allowing residents to raise concerns through the planning process.

Councillor Benyon added: "This policy gives us the chance to review smaller HMOs that currently do not undergo planning scrutiny and gives affected residents the chance to have their say on conversion of medium sized properties to HMOs. We will be able to have more control over where new HMOs are created, whilst ensuring residents have their concerns adequately voiced through the planning process."

Have your say

You can view the proposal and supporting documents online.

Paper copies are also available to view at: St Helens Town Hall Reception, Victoria Square, Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1HP.

The consultation is open now and responses should be submitted by Thursday 19th November 2026.

Comments can be submitted directly to the council's Planning Service, by email (planning@sthelens.gov.uk) quoting reference P/2026/0495/ART.

You should be aware that by law any comments received by the council are open to public inspection and may be referred to in meetings open to the public. Also, any correspondence you do submit regarding this proposal will be displayed on the council website.

If approved, the proposed Article 4 Direction would come into force on 1st December 2026.

Any decision will be informed by evidence, consultation feedback and an assessment of local housing needs.