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Campaign to protect our community's quality of life in central Eastleigh
The Heart of Eastleigh campaign has been organised by local neighbours. It is an inclusive group promoting a better quality of life for all residents in the area.
We are not part of, or affiliated with, any political party or their views.
Stricter planning controls needed
Stricter planning controls needed
Protect the Heart of Eastleigh from OVER development
Ensure Eastleigh stays a town with a high quality of life, where people can thrive as part of a caring and diverse community.
Developers are snapping up 2–3 bedroom homes and converting them into high-density HMOs (House of Mutiple Occupation)
- often in a matter of weeks.
No consultation. No warning. No say.
Get Involved - Speak Up - Share This
Because once our community is gone, we don't get it back!
The impact YOU are already seeing
The impact YOU are already seeing
Streets crammed with cars - unsafe, stressful, nowhere to park
Rise in fly-tipping and overflowing bins
Noise, overcrowding, and loss of privacy
Fewer family homes - less stability, less community
Enough is enough.
We are calling for:
Enough is enough.
We are calling for:
Stronger planning controls
Proper scrutiny of ALL HMOs
Action NOW — not when it’s too late
A decent quality of life for those in HMOs
Even the Town Council has raised concerns
But action is being delayed
How do we stop it? What is an Article 4?
How do we stop it? What is an Article 4?
We believe an Article 4 direction is required.
An Article 4 Direction is a specific and targetted planning regulation issued by a local council that removes "permitted development rights". This means developers must apply for formal planning permission for specific alterations or changes of use that would normally be allowed without an application. Currently a 6 bedroom HMO DOES NOT REQUIRE PLANNING PERMISSION in the Eastleigh Borough!
Local authorities use Article 4 Directions to protect the unique character, appearance, or wellbeing of an area. This does not stop development completely; it simply gives the council the power to review and approve proposals, such as for a HMO.
An Article 4 direction has already been adopted by Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth City Councils. This makes Eastleigh an easy target and the area is being promoted as a 'soft touch' by developers.
What's Happening?
What's Happening?
Developers are snapping up 2–3 bed homes and converting them into high-density HMOs
No consultation. No warning. Rushed planning applications to extend beyond a 6 person HMO. Poor communication.
Current HMO Statistics
Current HMO Statistics
HMOs in Eastleigh have jumped from 77 to 99 in just 2 years
88% are now concentrated in ONE central area around the town - No balance
Eastleigh promoted as a 'soft touch'
Eastleigh promoted as a 'soft touch'
Not only is the developer of No. 41 Archers Road documenting this conversion via social media & selling workshops to 'show people how'
but also..
This website for HMO developers explains why the "relaxed" planning regulations make Eastleigh a 'profitable target' for overdevelopement.
41 Archers Road - A Case Study
41 Archers Road - A Case Study
Threats from the developer to neighbours to cooperate or else ...
Portaloo in the front garden left open for any passers by to use
'Full steam ahead' with 8 bed set up before permission granted
Noisy building works over the weekend and bank holidays
Having to contact a bewildering array of departments to raise concerns
The Sun article
The Sun article
'WE'RE FUMING' Channel 4 star dubbed ‘alpha male’ in neighbour row after threatening to turn house into HMO for migrants or prisoners
Published: 22:18, 13 Mar 2026
Read More.....
Eastleigh News
Eastleigh News
C4 reality contestant faces backlash in HMO dispute
C4 reality contestant faces backlash in HMO dispute
Planning Permission Refused
Planning Permission Refused
Because of the noise that the local residents made, the change from a 6 bed to an 8 bed HMO was refused by Eastleigh Borough Council.
Despite threats from the developer that he was "going to win at appeal", the application was refused on the grounds of
Over intensification
Harmful living conditions
Poor provision of internal communal facilities
Absence of sufficient on-site parking provision
Likely to result in increased demand for on-street parking
Adverse impact on highway safety through indiscriminate parking
Can You Help?
Can You Help?
Contact heartofeastleighcampaign@gmail.com
If you'd like to get more involved, have skills that may be helpful or can spare some time to raise awareness by putting up posters and the like, we'd love to hear from you.
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