Newport’s council has been savaged by one of its own politicians, David Fouweather (pictured), for wasting £21,000 on a survey to find out what it should already know – namely how unpopular HMOs are.

The Welsh local authority spent the money on a survey of HMOs as part of a wider review of planning policies and said that although there had been other surveys carried out in the wider area, Newport’s needs were distinct.

Councillor Saeed Adan, its Cabinet Member for Housing, says the council was seeking a “measurable way of controlling HMOs through the development management process, so it doesn’t impact those areas that are significantly affected”.

“We’re hoping that on the back of this new study that we receive, that we change the rules.”

Views considered

And in response to the criticism of the survey, he said: “I am aware of the sensitive nature of such applications, and it is important the views of residents and relevant ward members are considered as part of the review.

“I have been working with the planning team on the brief for this piece of work and confirm the consultancy which has been awarded this commission is RRR Consultancy.

“The cost of the whole commission, of which the survey was only a part, is £20,800.”

Cllr Fouweather, however, has questioned why a study was needed at all, and claims residents are frustrated by planning policies which sideline many concerns about proposed HMOs.

He told Nation Cymru: “It doesn’t need a PR company to tell the council what the public and councillors think about HMOs.