PROPOSALS to restrict the rapid growth of student lets in York look set to be approved by City of York Council’s executive next week.

The Liberal Democrat executive is expected to agree to implement a city-wide Article 4 direction, which would require people to seek planning permission before turning properties into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) for three or more people.

Existing rules mean that only HMOs for six or more occupants need planning permission. But legal guidelines mean that 12 months notice would have to be given ahead of the new rules being introduced.

The council’s executive member for City Strategy, Steve Galloway, said it was important to get the process under way.

He stressed requiring planning permission did not necessarily mean applications would be refused. Coun Galloway said: “Any planning committee would need to have good and objective reasons for refusing an application. Any refusal could also be subject to an appeal.”