A PLANNING blueprint will help tackle the problem of HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) in areas of Crewe.

Local councillors have welcomed the adoption of a HMO Supplementary Planning Document by Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee last week, which will guide future planning decisions across the borough.

HMOs are houses occupied by more than three unrelated people who share a kitchen or bathroom.

The planning document recognises that having too many HMOs in a particular location can have a negative impact upon the area and place extra demands on services such as increased waste generation.

Crewe South councillor Steve Hogben says in his ward it is a "huge issue" as 42 per cent of the known HMOs in the whole borough are situated there.

He said: "The issues with an over-concentration of these types of properties are clear: insufficient parking, increased waste, associated fly-tipping and often low-quality living conditions.

"I welcome the steps taken by the council and would like to give due credit to the past work of Crewe councillors across the whole town on this matter. I'm confident that in the long term these measures will improve the situation in Crewe."

The new policy means a maximum of 10 per cent concentration of HMOs within a 50-metre