Questions raised on student register for Shrewsbury

The authority's cabinet will vote on proposals from its group on student accommodation on Wednesday.

The policy will address "houses of multiple occupancy" (HMOs) and includes measures which would see the creation of a register of all properties in the town, as well as any complaints relating to the properties.

However, Councillor Alan Mosley, who represents the Castlefields and Ditherington ward in Shrewsbury, says the authority should look to amend its regulations so that all HMOs require planning consent – giving the council control over where and when they are established.

Councillor Mosley, a member of the Student Accommodation Group which has investigated the issue, said "it is no use bolting the door after the horse has bolted". He said: "The proposals do not go far enough and rather than waiting until there is possible evidence of studentification and difficulties arising in communities. We should be pre-empting that and introducing article four directions that will help to manage any effect from areas becoming over populated with students."

Under current planning regulations developers do not need to apply for specific planning permission to create a HMO for fewer than six people.

An article four direction would ensure that householders need to apply for planning permission to create an HMO.

Arup, consultants asked to review the subject for the authority, advised there were no examples of councils successfully being able to implement an article four direction before it had been able to demonstrate that HMOs had caused harm to the area.

Shrewsbury's new university only welcomed its first undergraduates in September. Currently accommodation for university students is based at the converted Mardol House.