513 Canterbury Street, GILLINGHAM, ME7 5LG

Authority: Medway Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Change of use
Inspector: Parsons J

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether the location of the HMO is acceptable, having regard to local and national planning policy
the living conditions of the occupiers of a top floor HMO room, having regard to outlook and light

What decided it

The location fails to meet Policy H7 criteria as it is not in a predominantly mixed-use area with appropriate neighbouring uses, and the top floor room has unduly restricted outlook contrary to national policy requirements for amenity standards.

The benefits of providing long-term, sustainable and affordable accommodation in a location with good access to services and facilities were outweighed by the unacceptable location under local plan policies and harm to the living conditions of future occupants regarding outlook.

Plan policies cited: Policy H7, Policy BNE2, Policy T13

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What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.
- Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
- Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
- Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
- Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.
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