VICTORY: Ashfield Independents Cave In To Public Pressure Over Reform's HMOs Campaign

Ashfield Reform UK celebrates success for residents in their campaign to stop houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) in Ashfield by introducing Article 4 Directions. These directions would remove the permitted development rights for dwellings to become HMOs housing 3 to 6 people in areas where there has been a growth in HMOs, so that they would require planning permission.

Ashfield District Council will now introduce Article 4 Directions on HMOs thanks to Reform's Campaign

It comes following a public petition, organised by Ashfield Reform UK, that has reached thousands of signatures from residents all over Ashfield. A public letter was also written by Ashfield's MP Lee Anderson to Council Leader Jason Zadrozny, urging him and his party to get on board with this campaign after Reform Councillors successfully passed a motion in Bassetlaw to introduce Article 4 Directions there that gives the Council the power to stop HMOs.

Our Reform UK Councillors in Ashfield initially requested an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council to vote on a motion that would introduce these directions. This request was inititally ignored by Council Leader Jason Zadrozny and the Ashfield Independents, they have now bowed to public pressure from the thousands of Ashfield residents who signed our petition.

It has now developed that Cllr Zadrozny has commissioned a report to Ashfield District Council's Cabinet Meeting on 22nd September, recommending the introduction of Article 4 Directions for areas of the district where evidence demonstrates any significant concentrations of Houses in Multiple Occupation, and for public consultation to take place on any proposed direction. We at Ashfield Reform UK believe that the Article 4 Directions should be used for all HMOs in Ashfield, however this is certainly a step in the right direction.

This is a significant victory for the residents of Ashfield. As the Labour Government scrambles to disperse illegal migrants claiming to be asylum seekers into HMOs, Ashfield residents are being forced to deal with the consequences. It should be residents who get to decide who lives in their community to ensure that the places they call home are respected and kept safe.

Areas where HMOs are imposed on local communities often see a sharp rise in crime and anti-social behaviour. By making all HMOs go through the planning committee, they can now be stopped in their tracks.

We in Ashfield prefer action, not leaflets.