BARNSLEY is facing an overcrowding problem on a scale not seen before with reports of up to 14 people sharing two-bed homes.
An influx of economic migrants has impacted on the private housing sector, with the council considering new licensing powers to stop unscrupulous landlords cramming several families into small terraced houses.
Paul Brannan, head of community safety and environment at the council, said the number of economic migrants settling in Barnsley has increased - with about 1,500 Roma Slovacs alone moving into the borough in the last 12 months.
He said evidence suggests that in some cases there can be between ten and 14 migrant workers sharing private rented homes intended for a family of three.
** The full story is in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated August 14.**
