Five-bedroom HMO at 61 King Street, Gillingham

“The Senior Planner outlined the application in detail for the change of use from a dwellinghouse (Class C3) to a 5-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) (Class C4).”

“The Senior Planner advised that a density assessment had been undertaken using planning history, information provided by Private Sector Housing colleagues and a walking survey of the majority of King Street, north of Jeffery Street. It was evaluated that there were 111 properties in King Street which included four existing HMOs, either registered or benefiting from planning permission, and four properties that had been sub-divided into flats.”

“The Committee discussed the application in detail and expressed concern that the bedrooms were of an insufficient size.”

“The Senior Planner drew Members’ attention to the supplementary agenda advice sheet, published on the day of the Planning Committee, which amended the wording of the refusal reason 2 and made minor amendments to the sections relating to the principle, future occupiers’ amenity and the conclusion.”

“Refused for the reasons 1 and 2 as set out in the report with reason 2 being amended to read:”

“The proposal would not meet with the provisions of the Government's Technical Housing Standards - Nationally Described Space Standards 2015 (NDSS) with regards to Bedroom 4 that would not meet the minimum width requirement for a single bedroom and due to the constraints of the access and location of the ensuite, would provide a limited and constrained internal amenity for prospective occupiers.”