We are pleased that Stockport Council is now proceeding with an Immediate...

We are pleased that Stockport Council is now proceeding with an Immediate Article 4 Direction covering HMOs.

This is the result of sustained pressure at the Town Hall to ensure that previous resolutions were finally acted upon.

In 2022, Stockport Council passed a resolution recognising the growing concerns around concentrations of HMOs and calling for an Article 4 Direction to be considered. However, despite that clear decision of Council, the work was not progressed and Members were not given a proper explanation as to why.

Earlier this year, Cllr Caton and Cllr Wynne brought the issue back to Council with a further resolution, calling on the Council to act on the outstanding 2022 commitment and commence work towards an Article 4 Direction in Central Stockport and Reddish.

That resolution put the issue firmly back on the agenda and called for a clear timetable for action.

We did so because residents have legitimate concerns about the cumulative impact of HMO concentrations — including pressure on family housing, parking, waste management, noise, residential amenity and the character of our neighbourhoods.

We have always been clear that this is not about a blanket ban on HMOs. HMOs provide an important form of housing. The issue is ensuring that where concentrations are creating pressures in particular neighbourhoods, the Council has the appropriate planning tools to properly assess further changes of use.

The Council is now proceeding with an Immediate Article 4 Direction, which is a significant step forward.

The original 2022 resolution established the Council’s commitment to consider this issue. Our resolution earlier this year challenged the failure to act on that commitment and called for the Council to finally move forward.

It is therefore particularly welcome to see that action now being taken.

There is still important work to do to ensure the Direction is properly evidenced, proportionate and appropriately targeted. But after years of delay, the Co