MOVES to stop an Essex coastal town from turning into “bedsit land” will help to cut crime and increase tourism, a councillor has said.

Concerns have been raised over the growing number of former guest houses in Clacton being converted into cheap single-room accommodation.

Tendring District Council (TDC) is now seeking to introduce powers to put a stop on buildings being turned into bedsits, otherwise known as houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

Councillor Paul Honeywood, who is responsible for housing on TDC, said: “If we’re not careful then we will have too many bedsits, particularly in areas of Clacton where there are already a high number.”

He pointed to Edith Road and Ellis Road as examples of streets with high proportions of HMOs and added: “Bedsits can be detrimental to the health of people who live in them, as well as the life of the community as a whole.”

He said that concentrations of bedsits can contribute to higher levels of anti-social behaviour and violent crime.

TDC is now looking to introduce the Article 4 Direction which would require an applicant to seek planning permission for change of use of a property into an HMO anywhere in Tendring.

The powers will also help to improve the standard of properties already in this use throughout the district and enhance neighbourhoods.

“The creation of a ‘bedsit land’ in one particular area or another is not healthy for anyone and it is something that we need to be able to control,” said Mr Honeywood.

“We want a situation whereby each and every proposal for an HMO is considered on its merits taking into account all local issues.

“In Clacton there are a lot of old B&Bs so it has made it easy for bedsits to spring up, but some of the properties that have been converted are far from suitable.”

The initiative has already gone before TDC’s planning committee where it was approved unanimously and has moved to the next stage.

The Article 4 Direction is out for consultation for eight weeks from December 20 to February 14 and, if confirmed, will come into effect 12 months after the notice was served.

“We’re trying to send a message to people to come and visit Clacton as a tourist destination and bedsits are not the best advertisement for that,” said Mr Honeywood.

“It will help to enhance the attractiveness of the area to visitors, investors and potential new residents.”

Similar moves have already been successfully made by Manchester City Council, Bournemouth Borough Council and Portsmouth City Council.

To take part in the consultation, send your comments to planningpolicy@tendringdc.gov.uk or by post to Planning Policy, Weeley, Clacton-on-Sea, CO16 9AJ quoting reference ‘Article 4 Direction’.