Six-person HMO at 45 Cleave Road, Gillingham

What was proposed

The application sought to change a dwellinghouse into a small HMO for up to six residents, with communal accommodation, storage and associated works.

“The Senior Planner outlined the application in detail for a change of use from dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a small house in multiple occupation (HMO) (Use Class C4) for up to six residents, including internal alterations, provision of communal living accommodation, refuse and recycling storage, cycle parking and associated works.”

Minutes

The site and surroundings

The property was in Watling Ward, within an Article 4 Direction area and the predominantly residential Gillingham Park Conservation Area.

“The application received 54 objections demonstrating significant local concern and opposition from residents and the local MP. • The property was located within Watling Ward, an area subject to an Article 4 Direction due to the high concentration of HMOs, and within the predominantly residential Gillingham Park Conservation Area.”

“The Senior Planner advised that the cycle storage and refuse management arrangements would be secured by planning conditions. Whilst she acknowledged parking pressures in the area, she advised that the site was situated in a sustainable location. The Chief Planning Officer added that, as the property was within a Conservation Area, the proposal had been fully assessed by the Senior Conservation Officer and was considered acceptable.”

Minutes

Questions and discussion

Members discussed refuse storage, parking pressures, existing HMOs and the number of objections, while officers explained possible storage arrangements and relevant planning controls.

“Concerns were raised regarding parking pressures in the surrounding area, the number of HMOs already present in the locality and the number of objections received. The Chief Planning Officer reminded Members that the number of representations received did not, in itself, constitute grounds for refusal.”

Minutes

Who spoke

The Senior Planner presented the application, the Chief Planning Officer added advice, and a ward councillor’s comments were read to the committee.

The committee’s decision

The application was approved with conditions 1 to 6 for the reasons stated in the decision.

“Approved with conditions 1 to 6 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report.”

Minutes