Six-bedroom HMO at 415 Canterbury Street, Gillingham
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Medway Planning Committee on 3 Jun 2026.
Earlier applications
An earlier eight-bedroom HMO application was withdrawn, while a later lawful development certificate for a six-person HMO was approved with conditions.
“Change of use from a 4 bedroom house in multiple occupation (Class C4) to an 8 bedroom house in multiple occupation (Sui Generis) together with construction of an L-shaped dormer window to rear and installation of roof lights to front to provide additional living accommodation within roof space with associated external alterations and a detached shed and bicycle store to rear Decision: withdrawn Decided: 06.01.2026”
“Application for a Lawful Development Certificate (Proposed) For the change of use from Class (C3) Dwelling House to Class (C4) up to 6 person HMO along with the construction of a single storey infill extension to side/rear. Decision: Approval with conditions Decided: 11.07.2025”
Officer report
The officers’ recommendation
Officers recommended approval because they found no harmful HMO concentration and considered the proposal acceptable for neighbouring and future occupants.
“It is considered that there is no over concentration of HMOs in the area and the proposal has been designed to provide a good level of amenity for prospective occupiers without harming the amenity of the neighbouring occupiers.”
“The proposal complies with the provisions set out in paragraphs 11, 60, 115, 116, 131, 135, 135(f), 194 and 195 of the NPPF, Policies BNE1, BNE2, BNE35, H7, S1, S6, T1 and T13 of the Local Plan and Policy T8 of the emerging Plan. The application is therefore recommended for approval.”
Officer report
Consultation responses
A councillor requested information about management and parking, while Kent Police requested crime-prevention advice and secured-by-design measures.
“Cllr Louwella Prenter requested additional information in relation to the proposed schemes HMO management plan and the scheme impact on parking in the surrounding area.”
“Kent Police commented on the application requesting they are consulted as Designing out Crime Officers (DOCO’s) to address CPTED and incorporate Secured by Design (SBD) as appropriate.”
Officer report
Committee discussion
Members heard that nearby HMOs were further along the street, parking would be managed by condition, and all proposed bedrooms met space standards.
“The Senior Planner confirmed that there was a cluster of 6 HMOs, however, they were further along Canterbury Street, and no other HMOs were located within the immediate vicinity of the application site.”
“The Senior Planner clarified that, as currently used, bedroom three of the dwelling fell below the minimum size set by the Nationally Described Space Standards, but that all bedrooms proposed in the HMO exceeded the standards.”
Minutes
The committee’s decision
The committee approved the application with conditions 1 to 7 for the reasons stated in the report.
“Approved with conditions 1 to 7 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report.”
Minutes
Sources
- Medway Planning Committee minutes, 3 June 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Medway's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Medway Planning Committee
- Council
- Medway
- Date
- Wednesday 3 June 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Medway committee decisions →
This committee's year
57 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 5 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.