Residents across York could be given the chance to object to or support the creation of new student housing.

Changes to Government legislation mean landlords can now turn their properties into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) without planning permission, unless local authorities impose an Article 4 direction.

Coun Steve Galloway, the chairman of City of York Council’s local development framework working group, said residents would only get the opportunity to make representations about plans to change homes to student housing if developers and potential landlords had to seek planning permission.

This would only happen if an Article 4 direction was brought in.

The group has now recommended giving a year’s notice of introducing such a rule covering the whole of the city, following community concerns about the spread of student homes.

The final decision will be made by the authority’s executive, with further consultation involving residents, councillors, council officers, landlords and student representatives being carried out over the next few weeks.

However, any rule would not be retrospective and would not affect existing HMOs.

Last summer, applications to turn properties in Thirkleby Way, Millfield Lane, Thief Lane and Low Mill Close into HMOs were turned down, but without an Article 4 designation being in place, they could now be converted without requiring planning permission.

Badger Hill and Osbaldwick residents have claimed the growth of HMOs has sparked litter, noise and antisocial behaviour problems and led to family homes being lost.

Coun Galloway said bringing in an Article 4 direction did not mean permission would be refused. Any planning committee would need good and objective reasons for refusing an application.

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy, who has pushed for the introduction of Article 4 in the city, said: “I am delighted a cross-party consensus has been reached on this important issue.

“For too long, many of the picturesque villages in my constituency, such as Heslington, Fulford and Osbaldwick, have been blighted by the excessive development of HMOs. This is an important step along the path towards a more local-focused planning system.”