A retrospective planning application for change of use of a chalet bungalow in Bond Road as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) has been refused by Ashford Borough Council.
The application by Mr. Scott Bayliss, the owner of a number of houses in multiple occupation in South Ashford, to allow the 40 Bond Road to be used for occupation by seven people was refused on the grounds of insufficient parking provision. Although the application showed two parking spaces on the frontage of the property, these do not exist and no application was made for a dropped kerb. It is also thought that there is insufficient space on the property to accommodate two parking spaces meeting ABC’s parking standards.
Since October 2010 a planning application has not been needed for change of use of a dwelling house (Planning Class C3) into a Small HMO (Planning Class C4), however if more than six unrelated persons occupy and share amenities, planning permission is still required. When the Permitted Development rules came into force ABC made a Direction under Article 4 of the legislation which effectively removes the Permitted Development status for Small HMOs in Aylesford Green, Beaver, Little Burton Farm and South Willesborough wards.