Agenda item

Strood North and Frindsbury Ward

Change of use of existing dwellinghouse (Class C3) to a 4-bedroom house in multiple occupation (Class C4) together with construction of an L-shaped dormer window to rear and installation of roof lights to front to provide additional living accommodation within roof space and construction of single storey rear extensions.

Discussion:

The Service Manager - Development Management outlined the application in detail for a change of use of existing dwellinghouse (Class C3) to a 4-bedroom house in multiple occupation (Class C4) together with construction of an L-shaped dormer window to rear and installation of roof lights to front to provide additional living accommodation within roof space and construction of single storey rear extensions.

The Service Manager – Development Manager advised that, compared to the area surrounding Gillingham train station, the number of HMOs within Strood was considerably lower, with less evidence of clustering, proliferation or loss of family dwellings. 

The Service Manager – Development Management brought Members’ attention to the supplementary agenda advice sheet which included amendments to conditions 2, 5 and 6. 

The Committee considered the application in detail and Members requested that an additional condition be imposed requiring the installation of an alley gate, in order to prevent the accumulation of refuse along the alleyway. The Service Manager – Development Management advised that he was not sure that the alley was within the application site and, therefore, whether a condition could be used. He recognised the concerns of members and advised that he would check and either impose a condition or include an informative to address this concern.   

The Service Manager – Development Management confirmed that Medway Council’s Highways Team had advised that a parking survey was not necessary. The Chief Planning Officer clarified that as the application site fell within a parking restriction zone, a Parking Management Plan was recommended. This would set out measures to deter residents from obtaining parking permits.

The Service Manager – Development Management advised that the minimum bedroom size standards were 7.5 square metres for a single bedroom and 11.5 square metres for a double bedroom. All proposed bedrooms within the planning application exceeded these standards, with the double occupancy bedroom measuring 17.3 square metres.

Decision:      

Approved with conditions 1 to 8 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report with amended conditions 2, 5 and 6. An additional condition or informative to be added to secure alley gates on both ends of the alley. 

Revised plans for cycle parking were submitted and the conditions 2, 5 and 6 were amended:

2        The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

Received 01 June 2026:

A.01 - Site Location Plan

A.02 - Existing and Proposed Site Plan

A.04 - Proposed Floor Plans

A.06 - Proposed Elevations

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

5        Prior to the first occupation of the property as a four bedroom HMO, the cycle facilities as shown on approved drawing A.02 Proposed Site Plan and A.07 Proposed Cycle Parking received 01 June 2026 shall be implemented in accordance with these details and thereafter retained.

Reason: In the interests of sustainability and to encourage cycle use with regard to Policy T4 of the Medway Local Plan 2003.

6        Prior to the first occupation of the property as a four bedroom HMO, the refuse storage as shown on approved drawing A.02 Proposed Site Plan received 01 June 2026 shall be implemented in accordance with these details and thereafter retained.

Reason: In the interests of sustainability and to encourage cycle use with regard to Policy T4 of the Medway Local Plan 2003.

Additional Informative:

The applicant is advised to explore the ownership of the adjacent alleyway and if possible secure with gates.