Concerns HMOs are taking over County Durham high streets

Councillors have warned of the impact the changing face of the high street is having across the region and urged local authorities to step in. 

At a Durham County Council scrutiny meeting on Monday, where members discussed the latest housing strategy, the local authority was told the changes are severely impacting communities. 

County councillor Anne Reed said: “Crook, like many other places in the county, has HMOs that house ex-offenders and have their issues. Landlords have retail premises, close it down and put a planning application in, and then we have another HMO.

Concerns have been raised about the future of Crook town centre (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“Businesses are still finding it difficult but if we continue to approve HMOs in our high street then one day we are going to find out that we don’t have a high street.”

Plans for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) were recently approved for a former Crook social club, while one former pub is now flats. 

Cllr Reed added: “How can we prevent our high street shops from becoming residential areas? 

“There are huge concerns. Once you start turning these shops into residential properties, you wonder, will they ever turn back?”

Council officials said there are certain policies within the County Durham Plan to protect high street areas but is constantly seeing empty units in formerly prominent sites. 

Elaine Peeke said Cornforth High Street, near Ferryhill, is now dominated by empty properties.

“It looks an absolute sight,” the Conservative councillor said.

“Why are we not purchasing them and actively seeking to find out who is leaving them in these dilapidated states? Get them back into the council control to earn an income.”

The council was urged to continue purchasing dilapidated empty properties throughout County Durham, a decision described as a “no-brainer” by councillor Alison Batey, who said it would provide a “quick fix” to the housing issues in the region. 

Pelton’s Cllr Batey added: “Why don’t we have the aspirational target of bringing houses to communities that are suffering issues?”

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Mike Allum, spacial policy manager, said the council has also bought empty properties around County Durham alongside its newbuild ambitions but admitted it isn’t an easy process.

“We currently own about 170 properties from a standing start of zero back in 2020/21,” he said. “We have done a hell of a lot in that time. The reality is you ultimately need the owner's consent or take enforcement action.”

The discussion came as council officials announced the revised ambition of building 500 council homes by 2029. Two sites at Seaham Colliery and Merrington View, Spennymoor, have been identified for new homes subject to planning and finances. 

It is hoped the council’s new build homes plan will help reduce the huge demand - including the need for affordable housing - and support the many struggling families in the wake of the recent spikes in inflation and interest rates.