There are fears that plans to transform a house in Tuebrook could exacerbate ongoing issues in the area. Councillor Joe Dunne said he had raised concerns to Merseyside Police in January about “quite open” drug dealing and drug use on Clifton Road in Tuebrook.
Cllr Dunne, who represents the Tuebrook Breckside Park ward for the Liberal Party, shared a statement on Facebook from a local inspector, since seen by the ECHO, confirming that more officers have been deployed to Clifton Road and the surrounding streets following these reports.
When the ECHO visited Clifton Road last month, numerous residents said they had become used to drug use and dealing. None of the neighbours living on the street who spoke to the ECHO wanted to be identified.
They also put the increase in anti-social behaviour down to the increase in Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO). This is when a property is rented out by three or more people who are not from the same household or family.
After growing concerns about HMOs were raised in the 2010s, an Article Four directive was implemented in 2021. The measure is designed to allow Liverpool City Council to control the rise of HMO conversions and protect the character of residential areas by requiring planning permission for those wanting to convert multiple homes.
Several HMOs on Clifton Road have been refused planning permission since the measure was introduced. However, an application for a new one, at number 26, was submitted last month and is currently in the consultation stage. The applicant and agent of the HMO application were approached by the ECHO for comment on resident’s concerns.
Back in February, 26 Clifton Road was in a poor state, with broken windows and rubbish piled up outside the front door and an overflowing skip outside. One neighbour said the house appeared to have become a magnet for drug use and dealing.
The woman said: “I have seen people gathering there (at number 26). Once I saw a big grey car pull up. I asked the driver, ‘what are you doing?’
“He said, I’m having a s***. It’s not nice. This used to be a nice street. Now there’s loads of HMOs. I wouldn’t really know, I stay at the back of the house.”
When the ECHO visited Clifton Road again this week, number 26 was being renovated, with new windows and doors fitted. The rubbish at the front of the property had been cleared and scaffolding had been installed.
However, an application is proposing to turn the property, originally designed to be occupied by one household, into a six bedroom HMO, with a communal kitchen and living facilities. The application form states that the site is not currently vacant.
This move has sparked fresh concerns. Cllr Dunne said: “When talking to the neighbours it is clear that they don’t want this to be a HMO, many on the road have already sent in their objections.
“Approving (this) would be illogical and not consistent with previous decisions made by the planning department. Article four was introduced to prevent the loss of traditional family homes.
“It also recognises concerns that excessive numbers of HMOs can harm communities through increased pressure on infrastructure and the neighbourhood character.
“This proposal would cause the loss of a traditional family home and would change the characteristics of the neighbourhood.”
The ECHO has approached the applicant and agent of the HMO application for comment. The applicant’s address is listed as being at number 26.
On reports of drug use and dealing in Tuebrook, Inspector Kieron Hogan said last month: “I want our residents to feel reassured that we are committed to doing all we can to work with our partners to address and tackle this issue.
“If anyone has information about anyone selling or distributing drugs we would ask them to contact us so that we can continue to take positive action.”
If you are concerned about your own use of drugs or alcohol, or you are concerned about somebody else, there are support services available.
For under 19s, contact the Young People’s Drug & Alcohol Team (YPDAAT) on 01744 675605.
For adults aged 19 and over, contact Change, Grow, Live (CGL) on 01744 410752 or visit www.changegrowlive.org
If you believe drugs are being dealt in your area, you can contact Merseyside Police via the social media desk on X @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.
You can also pass information via Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org