New Proposals for Regulating Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Maidstone
Maidstone Council shows a new plan. The plan fixes home changes into HMOs. Residents feel upset. The plan cuts tensions around this issue. It helps in the Fant and Oakwood wards. Local people see more HMOs. They see parking problems, waste issues, and noisy tenants.
Uncovering the HMO Issue
Houses in Multiple Occupation give rooms to strangers or separate families. Young people and students fill these houses. They suit city life in Maidstone and the UK. Yet many people in Fant fear that these houses make life hard. Local rules do not ask for planning if there are six or fewer bedrooms. This rule makes the problem grow. The Planning and Healthier Stronger Communities Committee says the rules do not pull in the extra HMOs, such as those in Fant. This ward has the second-highest number of HMOs after High Street.
The Proposed Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)
Maidstone Council sets out a new SPD. The SPD shows rules for larger HMOs that need planning. It helps the Council set rules when a family home is changed into an HMO. The SPD lists six main topics:
- Harmful Concentration: An HMO reaches a limit when 10% of houses in a 100-metre area are HMOs.
- HMO Sandwiching: New changes must not trap a house between HMOs.
- Adequate Natural Light: New rooms need enough daylight. Old plans showed basement rooms without windows.
- Outdoor Amenity Space: Developers must give residents enough outdoor space.
- Waste Storage: Waste spaces should hide bins in an attractive way.
- Parking Provision: Each HMO room acts like a one-bedroom flat for parking. A parking spot is needed per room.
Some supporters still worry about parking. Cllr Stan Forecast asks if flexible parking can skip local needs in busy spots.
Balancing Growth and Local Needs
Cllr Tony Harwood, who runs the project, says the plan must balance growth with local comfort. He adds that the plan can bend for good cases that have enough nearby parking. Some people worry that this bending might weaken the rules that stop HMO issues. Cllr Claudine Russell asks for tougher parking rules. The plan passed with a plan to check facts and change later if needed.
Community Talk and Next Moves
After the meeting, the SPD goes for a chat period. This time lets locals and developers share thoughts. This step is key in Fant. Councillors want to hear ideas that can shape the final rules. Cllr Kimmy Milham welcomes many views. Cllr Harwood says the SPD works on larger HMOs and looks at small ones too. The Council plans soon to check four and five-bedroom HMOs.
Maidstone now deals with these new rules. The future of HMOs stays a key topic for councils, builders, and residents. Finding a fair mix of community care and rental need will shape local housing.
Conclusion
Maidstone’s new SPD is one step to face city housing rules. While people feel mixed views, council members share a strong wish to keep homes good. This case shows the hard ties in city housing and hints at shifts in property work and local life.
Sources
- Maidstone Borough Council www.maidstone.gov.uk
- UK Government Housing www.gov.uk/housing
- Kent Online News www.kentonline.co.uk
