A petition has been launched against plans to extend Rotherham’s selective licensing scheme and follow a heated council meeting during which, highly unusually, locals vented their opposition to the plans.

This would seen five more streets added to the existing scheme. The petitioners argue that Clifton, which is predominantly composed of long-term owner-occupiers, doesn’t face the issues the licensing scheme aims to address, such as anti-social behaviour, poor housing conditions and high crime rates.

The council is currently considering extending an existing scheme to include Eastwood Mount, Newton Street (pictured), Newton Drive, Byron Drive and parts of Badsley Moor Lane.

Unfairly labelled

Under selective licensing regulations, landlords must pay £521 per property for a five-year licence, with the aim of improving housing standards and ensuring properties are properly maintained in the designated areas.

Petitioners expressed concerns that labelling Clifton as “deprived” could negatively impact property values and potentially cause negative equity for some homeowners.

And the petition’s spokesperson, Mohammed Shafiq, also challenged the council’s assertion that there’s low housing demand in Clifton.

Scheme should not disproportionately impact landlords or harm the local housing market.”

He told The Star: “The majority of the residents in this area are very elderly, have lived there for over 30 years. It’s such a nice area, nobody wants to move out. We have been blended in with the town centre and Eastwood. This has caused a lot of confusion.”

The petition requests that the council either reconsider Clifton’s inclusion or develop alternative solutions that won’t ‘disproportionately impact landlords or harm the local housing market.’

It will now be referred to the council’s director of regeneration and environment for a written response.

Read more about selective licensing.