A new licensing scheme for private landlords in parts of Scunthorpe has been blocked temporarily following a legal challenge.

North Lincolnshire Council’s cabinet agreed last Autumn to introduce ‘selective licensing’ for parts of Crosby and Park and Town Wards. The scheme was due to be introduced on 20 March and required private renting landlords to apply for a licence to operate.

However, a legal challenge was submitted by Crosby Landlords’ Association, who have sought a judicial review of the decision in a bid to stop the proposed licensing zone being created.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the legal challenge will look at whether the council followed due process, and not the merits of the tougher rules for landlords scheme itself.

The North Lincolnshire council project required landlords to pay a fee of £955 to cover the five years of the selective licensing period.