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

radius will be applied and that any new proposal resulting in an non-HMO property being sandwiched by HMOs on either side will not be allowed.

Directions for the Nantwich Road, Hungerford Road and West Street areas of Crewe will remove "permitted development rights" to convert an existing house into a HMO without gaining planning permission in these areas when they come into effect in November,

Crewe Central councillor Anthony Critchley said: "I welcome the council finally gripping this issue, but we do not believe this to be the finished article. We need to not only control future conversions but also address the legacy of over-concentration of HMOs left behind by years of neglect.

"It's about getting the right type of housing in the right areas and accounting for amenities like waste and parking that affect not only potential tenants, but existing neighbours and the wider community too."