Birmingham Conservatives condemn Government refusal to give councils stronger planning powers over exempt accommodation
Birmingham Conservatives have condemned the Government’s refusal to create a new planning use class for exempt accommodation, warning that Ministers have put the concerns of providers ahead of the experience of local councillors and residents living with the consequences.
In its response to the supported housing regulation consultation, the Government confirmed it is “not minded to introduce any planning changes” for supported housing at this stage, despite acknowledging that local authorities argued a new planning use class would help them control poor-quality provision and manage the concentration of schemes in local areas. The Government has instead said it will keep the issue under review and wait until after the licensing regime has been evaluated.
Birmingham Conservatives said this decision is a serious mistake for cities like Birmingham, where councillors have repeatedly seen the damage caused when exempt accommodation is opened in unsuitable locations, clustered in already pressured neighbourhoods, and run without proper regard for residents or the wider community.
Councillor Ken Wood, Conservative Shadow Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
“Birmingham has been at the sharp end of the exempt accommodation crisis. Local councillors know what this looks like on the ground. We see the pressure on neighbourhoods, the impact on vulnerable residents, the strain on public services and the frustration of communities who feel ignored.
“The Government had a chance to give councils the planning powers they need. Instead, it appears to have listened more closely to providers worried about their business model than to local councillors who see the daily reality.
“This is not about stopping good supported housing. It is about stopping poor provision, stopping over-concentration, and making sure councils can say no when a proposal is wrong for an area.
“By refusing to create a new planning use class, Ministers are leaving councils to fight this problem with one hand tied behind their backs.”
The Government’s own consultation response states that providers warned a new planning use class could create barriers to development and affect supply, while local authorities said it would help regulate quality and control concentration. Birmingham Conservatives said the Government’s decision shows that Ministers have chosen provider concerns over practical local knowledge.
Birmingham Conservatives also criticised the Government’s decision to exempt Ministry of Justice-commissioned accommodation, including CAS2 provision, and Ofsted-regulated accommodation for residents aged up to 25, from the new licensing requirements.
Councillor Robert Alden, Leader of the Birmingham Conservative Group said:
“Exempting probation and children’s accommodation from licensing is another blow to councils. These are exactly the kinds of settings where local authorities need clear oversight, strong information-sharing, and the ability to act quickly when problems arise.
“Ministers say councils will be given tools to deal with rogue provision, but then they immediately carve out whole categories from the licensing system and refuse to give councils proper planning control.
“That is not serious reform but a half-measure.
“Birmingham needs a system that backs residents, backs responsible providers and backs councils. What we have been given falls short.”
Birmingham Conservatives are calling on the Government to reconsider its decision, bring forward a dedicated planning use class for exempt accommodation, and ensure councils have full powers to license, inspect and control provision that affects local communities.
