A COUNCILLOR has raised concerns about the ‘explosion of HMOs’ in Barrow.

Councillor Anne Burns (Old Barrow and Hindpool, Labour) asked the cabinet for Westmorland and Furness Council to have a look at the policy regarding houses of multiple occupancy at a meeting on September 26.

Cllr Burns said: “I would like to ask the cabinet to have a look at the policy of HMOs. I’m raising that as in the Barrow-in-Furness area at the moment, we’ve seen an explosion of HMOs.

“It seems that every building, be it a house, an ex-pub or a home, is being converted into an HMO.

“We understand why, the influx of workers into the shipyard, somebody’s seen an excellent opportunity, but it’s not helping some of the residential areas that we’ve got in the area, especially when residential parking’s been affected.”

In response, the cabinet member for housing and customer services councillor Judith Derbyshire said she would speak to the assistant director of housing regarding the conversions.

Cllr Derbyshire added she would ask the assistant director to have a discussion with Cllr Burns about how HMOs are being considered in the  housing strategy.

A report by council planning officers prepared for a Barrow-in-Furness local area planning committee in October 2023 explains why more properties are being converted into HMOs in the area.

The report, prepared for the decision on whether to convert a Ramsden Street property into a HMO, stated: “Within the locality the housing stock is almost entirely 19th century and there are numerous examples of larger three storey dwellings which lend themselves to multiple occupation and tenancies, the demand for which has seen a significant rise post pandemic.

“This is against a background of family sizes shrinking nationally, together with local population demographic change, and increased use of short-term contracts at local employers.

“Simply put, the market is reacting to demand, and the availability of larger houses is offering a solution to that demand.

“This is a positive step, as it is resulting in considerable inward investment to the town centre periphery area, whereby houses in poor condition are being renovated, and local suppliers and tradespersons are also benefiting.

“The alternative is that these houses remain in poor condition, often empty and attracting anti-social behaviour, which in turn, could be argued, leads to a loss of social and community cohesion.”