Nottingham City Council has secured permanent planning restrictions that will protect the character and appearance of neighbourhoods most affected by high concentrations of student accommodation and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The Secretary of State has confirmed that the long-standing rules on displaying letting boards will remain in place permanently. The approval follows a detailed public consultation held last year. Landlords must follow this guidance for displaying Letting Boards. This includes mounting the letting board flush to the wall above the front door, where possible.
The neighbourhoods where the restrictions will be include Hyson Green & Arboretum, Lenton & Wollaton East and Radford, where high numbers of unmanaged or persistent ‘To Let’ boards have historically had a negative impact on the appearance and feel of local streets. All nine areas with restrictions can be seen on the map below.
The decision marks a major success for Nottingham and will help ensure that these communities remain attractive, welcoming places for residents, visitors and students. Letting boards have previously been a significant concern for residents due to their impact on streetscapes and the overall character of local areas. The permanent restrictions will help to protect the visual amenity of neighbourhoods and reduce the recurrence of board clutter on residential streets.
The new rules take effect from Monday 13 April. Residents will also be encouraged to report unauthorised ‘To Let’ boards once enforcement begins.
As the permanent restrictions take effect, Nottingham City Council is asking all landlords and letting agents operating within the affected areas to remove existing ‘To Let’ boards that don’t meet the guidance and to refrain from putting up new boards once the restrictions are active. Each unauthorised board may be subject to enforcement action, including financial penalties.
Councillor Jay Hayes, Executive Member for Housing and Planning, said: “This is fantastic news for local communities. These restrictions will make a visible and lasting difference in parts of the city that have been affected for years by the clutter of unmanaged letting boards. Ensuring our neighbourhoods are clean, attractive and great places to live is a priority for the council, and this decision helps us protect the character of these areas for the long term. We wish to thank all the stakeholders who supported us in securing these permanent restrictions.”
More information, including dates, maps, and guidance for landlords and estate agents, is available on the council’s website.