A CRACKDOWN on unwanted student houses in Worcester is being hailed a success - 15 months on from it being launched.

Worcester City Council has revealed that it intends to make no changes to its policy to try and spread out student digs after holding a review of it.

In July last year, after years of concern over too many properties being converted into student accommodation so close together, it launched its 'Article 4' ruling which was bitterly opposed by landlords.

Under the policy any landlord wanting to turn a property into student homes must apply for a 'change of use' - and in streets where 10 per cent have already been converted within a 100-metre radius, the council has the right to refuse.

A new council report has now revealed how since last year there have been 11 bids for conversions to student houses in the city, one of which was a bed and breakfast.

Six were accepted by the council, while the bed and breakfast application was withdrawn and four rejected, all because each one breached the 10 per cent ruling.

As your Worcester News revealed in February, just one landlord has appealed over a decision to the national inspectors, only for the rejection to be upheld.

A bid to turn a family home at 24 Lambert Road, St John's into student housing for six people therefore did not go ahead, with the inspector's decision effectively strengthening the city council's policy.

The council's Conservative leadership has decided not to make any changes to the policy, including keeping the 100-metre '10 per cent' radius unchanged.

Article 4 does not apply to just student digs but Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs), any property containing three or more people from two different families.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, the deputy leader and cabinet member for economic prosperity, city centre and the riverside, said: "We were committed to doing a review of this after a year and the good news is, it does appear to be working.

"We are now able to have a modicum of control over them, and some discretion over where they are cited.

"In the one example where planning permission was refused and it went to appeal, our decision was upheld which does show a degree of strength in the policy."

Councillor Chris Mitchell, the cabinet member responsible for finance, said: "The St Clement ward (part of St John's) is the most populated for HMOs so it's really pleasing to see the policy is working.

"That's good for the public and I hope it continues."