A moratorium on new houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in central St Andrews will continue until 2016, Fife Council’s Executive Committee has decided.
The move was introduced in 2011 due to concerns by some residents and local councillors about the impact of the number of HMOs in the town centre.
The policy was to be reviewed in 2013 but the review was delayed to allow two separate studies to be published the Centre of Housing Research on behalf of St Andrews University and Fife Council and the St Andrews Town Commission on Housing on behalf of local community organisations.
Fife Council has reported there is still a need to carry out further research on the impact of the moratorium, including trends and implications on the housing market.
This will also allow the council’s planning and licensing powers over HMOs to be reviewed together.
St Andrews councillor Dorothea Morrison, who sits on the Executive Committee, said: “It is hoped by listening to the concerns of all those who live in the town… that suggestions can be put forward to address the difficulties of providing affordable housing and a balanced community within a small town.”
Councillor Lesley Laird, depute leader and executive spokesperson for business enterprise, economy and planning, added: “This will give time for the council’s planning and housing roles to be considered together and understand how the policy affects both the supply of homes in the town and local amenity.”