RESIDENTS in Worcester are being given the opportunity to have their say on a crackdown on student homes in the city.

Last month Worcester City Council revealed plans which would ban buildings in the city being converted into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in areas with more than 10 per cent such homes within a 100-metre radius.

It is also proposed that no more than two homes next to each other can be converted into HMOs in a bid to avoid creating student housing ‘ghettos’.

The plans, which will be opened to public consultation on Wednesday, February 19, will also require landlords seeking to convert a home into a HMO with between three and six bedrooms to apply for planning permission.

If approved the plans will effectively rule out any more multiple occupancy homes in areas such as St John’s already heavily populated by students.

The six-week consultation will run until Wednesday, April 2 and the final document will be presented to a meeting of the council’s cabinet in June.

The documents can be viewed at The Hive, St John’s library in Glebe Close and Warndon library in Carnforth Drive as well as worcester.gov.uk/voiceit.

Comments can be made on the website, via post to HMO Consultation, Worcester City Council, FREEPOST WR427, Worcester, WR1 2ZD or emailed to ldf@worcester.gov.uk

The final document is expected to be adopted at the start of July.