24 Pier Road, GILLINGHAM, ME7 1RJ

alterations and extensions of an existing, detached dwellinghouse to provide a 14-bedroom student/single person shared accommodation unit (House in Multiple Occupancy)

Authority: Medway Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Other minor developments
Inspector: Bowyer J

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the site is suitable for an HMO having regard to the provisions of the development plan concerning the general location and circumstances of dwellings intended for multiple occupation
The effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupiers of neighbouring dwellings in respect of noise and disturbance

What decided it

The contribution of the HMO towards meeting the general need for a range of housing to cater for different groups, including graduates and young professionals, was of sufficient weight to outweigh the technical breach of saved Policy H7 of the Local Plan.

The technical contraventions of aspects of saved Policy H7 were outweighed by the contribution towards meeting shortages in housing and affordable housing supply, and the role of HMOs in providing cheaper accommodation for people whose housing options are limited.

Framework references: 56

Plan policies cited: Policy H7, Policy BNE2

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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What an account adds

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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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