Oxford East MP Andrew Smith has welcomed Government plans to control the spread of multi-occupancy housing in the city.

Housing and planning minister Caroline Flint has pledged to toughen up planning laws to limit the number of houses being converted into flats and bedsits.

Mr Smith initiated a debate in Parliament in June in which he pressed ministers to give Oxford City Council and other authorities the power to refuse planning permission for the conversion of houses into flats.

Residents in East Oxford have complained the nature of the area has changed in recent years as more family homes are lost.

Mr Smith said: "I would very much welcome Government action on this.

"We need tougher laws to stop the spread of multiple occupation destroying residential areas of the city.

"As I go round talking with local people and consulting them in surveys, this is one of the top issues raised. "Effective planning control must go hand in hand with a comprehensive licensing system, so that the council can take action against bad landlords, who don't look after gardens or rubbish disposal, and allow parking problems and noise to get out of hand.

"Proper planning control and licensing would also give better protection for tenants."