Plans for a seven-bed HMO in the middle of a terraced street have riled long-standing residents who claim it’s more in keeping in size and scale with a “mini-hotel”. More than 60 people living in and around Selbourne Road in Gillingham have signed a petition opposing the proposed redevelopment of the mid-terrace two-storey house. A planning application was lodged with Medway Council on October 23 for the house in multiple occupancy (HMO), with plans including a loft conversion, the insertion of dormer windows, and other external works.
But Allan Galvin, who has lived on the road for 49 years, claims “it’s going to be a real eye-sore” and, alongside many other long-term neighbours, is opposing the development on the grounds it will negatively impact parking, noise and privacy. Developers A&E Property Ltd state on their website they specialise in “high-end” HMOs that offer “luxurious living spaces” to tenants. They dispute the residents’ claims, stating the property is for professionals such as doctors, nurses and care workers, and say it will be “sound proofed” to mitigate any potential disturbance.
The existing building has four bedrooms, but if the new application is turned down the fallback position would be to convert it to a 6-bed HMO instead under permitted development legislation. This allows householders to improve and extend homes without the need to apply for planning permission where that would be out of proportion with the impact of works .
