Six-person HMO at 1 Blenheim Avenue, Chatham

The site and its setting

The site is in an urban area within walking distance of shops, public transport and the railway station, with limited registered HMOs nearby.

“The application site is within an urban area of Chatham and is within walking distance of the High Street. The site is also within walking distance of local public transport such as bus services and Chatham Train Station.”

“There is a limited number of registered HMOs within 200m of the site and there appears to be a limited number of dwellings subdivided into flats. Consequently, there is no concern with respect to the potential clustering of such uses, proliferation and the associated detrimental impacts upon adjoining residential amenity.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier applications included a refused detached dwelling and approved works for roof accommodation, hardstanding, a crossover and extensions.

“MC/25/0180 Application for a Lawful Development Certificate (Proposed) for the construction of hip to gable end along with a dormer to rear with skylights to the front to facilitate living accommodation within the roof space Decision: Approved Decided: 21.02.2025”

“MC/25/0212 Construction of hardstanding and vehicular crossover to front together with retaining wall and railings Decision: Approved Decided: 02.04.2025”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Principal Planner presented the application, and a ward councillor spoke against it and recommended refusal.

What members discussed

Members discussed existing HMO numbers, bedroom sizes, parking enforcement, the parking management plan, drainage and highway approvals.

“The Committee discussed the planning application noting concerns regarding the number of HMOs already present in the area and the suitability of the proposed bedroom sizes. The Principal Planner confirmed that all proposed bedrooms, including the sixth bedroom within the roof space, complied with the minimum sizes set out in the Nationally Described Space Standards.”

“The Service Manager – Development Management advised that the proposal included two off-street parking spaces at the front of the property and that a Parking Management Plan would be secured by Condition 8 to mitigate parking impacts.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application with conditions, including an amended electric vehicle charging condition and a new drainage condition.

“Approved with conditions 1 to 8 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report with condition 7 being amended in the supplementary agenda advice sheet with an additional condition requiring permeable surfacing or suitable drainage measures for the driveway to prevent surface water runoff onto the public highway and an informative to advise regarding the dropped kerb process…”

“Prior to first occupation as a six-bedroom Use Class C4 HMO herein approved details of the provision of 1 electric vehicle charging point shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Details shall include the location, charging type (power output and charging speed), associated infrastructure and timetable for installation. The development shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details and shall thereafter be maintained.”

Minutes

Extra highway advice

An informative advised the applicant to contact the highways department about permissions for the vehicle crossing and other highway works.

“You are advised to contact the Highways Department on (01634) 331039 with regards to obtaining the necessary permissions for the construction of the proposed vehicle crossing and any other works affecting the public highway.”

Minutes