Seven-bedroom HMO at 13 Park Avenue, Gillingham

What was proposed

The application sought to convert a dwelling into a seven-bedroom, eight-person HMO, with internal changes, balcony reinstatement, rooflights and cycle storage.

“This application seeks planning permission for the change of use of an existing Class C3 dwelling into a seven-bedroom, eight-person Sui Generis House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).”

“In addition to the conversion of the property the proposal also seeks minor alterations to the front and rear of the dwelling. Including, to the rear, the installation of a timber window at ground floor; the blocking-up of a rear balcony door; and insertion of three conservation rooflights. And to the front the reinstatement of a wooden bay window balustrade at first-floor level and insertion of a bin store within the front garden.”

Officer report

Objections and support concerns

Four residents and the ward councillor objected over character, safety, parking, waste, noise, antisocial behaviour and the concentration of HMOs.

“Erosion of the character of the area Loss of safety and impact on existing properties Increased volumes and waste and littering Increased parking pressure and risks to highways safety Increased volumes of noise, disturbance and anti-social behaviour Oversaturation of HMOs within the Ward and local area Concerns with parking beat survey methodology Questions legitimacy of submitted management plans.”

“Increased parking pressure and risks to highways safety Impact upon the character of the Conservation Area Loss of safety and impact on existing properties, including antisocial behaviour Increased volumes and waste and littering…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor Coombs addressed the committee as ward councillor and raised concerns about parking, intensification, clustering, disturbance and the street’s character.

Members’ discussion

Members were concerned about increased parking pressures, while officers explained that the parking survey was accepted by highways officers and waste arrangements had been provided.

“The Committee discussed the application in detail and Members were concerned with increased parking pressures.”

“The Service Manager - Development Management clarified that a parking beat survey had been requested by Medway Council’s Highways Team and had been undertaken in accordance with the standard Lambeth Methodology. Medway Council’s Highways Officers had reviewed the survey, considered it acceptable and raised no objections.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application with the report’s conditions and an additional condition preventing storage on the front balcony.

“Approved with conditions 1 to 9 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report with an additional condition to ensure the balconies were not used for storage purposes.”

“The front facing balcony space serving the hereby approved Sui Generis House In Multiple Occupancy shall not be used for the storage of any materials, equipment, refuse or recycling, household items, or any other paraphernalia. The balcony use shall be solely used as private amenity space for future occupants of the property.”

Minutes