Protests over HMO plans
Scores of protesters turned out to express their fears over plans to convert a family home into a house of multiple occupation (HMO).
Sixty people attended a public meeting in Allington organised by ward councillors Stuart Jeffery (Green) and and joined by his ward colleague Stanley Forecast
(Con) last Monday. It was a chance for residents to convey their views on proposals to convert a house in Trapham Road into a 10-bed HMO. Neighbours expressed their fears a house of 10 single people was likely to change the nature of the family estate and were worried about the potential impact on parking and consequent danger to pedestrians – especially school children. There was also concern over the number of waste bins the property would generate. In Maidstone, anyone can turn a home into a six-bed HMO without the need for planning permission. However, some other boroughs have imposed Article 4 rulings meaning formal consent is necessary.
Residents were fearful that if the Trapham Road application were allowed, it would set a precedent and be followed by many more applications in the area, as had happened in Fant ward where there are already more than 115 HMOs .
One elderly resident who lives close by the proposed Allington HMO said: ”I’ve always found the area a friendly and supportive place, where I could bring up my children. Now I want some peace and quiet in my twilight years. Is that to be denied me?” Cllr Forecast said: “I share the overwhelming concerns and opposition that the vast majority of our residents have. The Queens Avenue/Trapham Road area has always been quiet and family-orientated area with minimal anti-social behaviour. “The fear is that a HMO could jeopardise this, as well as put massive strains on parking and road accessibility, which is why I will be working with Stuart to ensure it does not go ahead.” View the application at tinyurl.com/planningKM, reference 23/500212.