Dozens of protesters turned out to express their fears over plans to convert a family home into a house of multiple occupation (HMO).

Sixty people packed into a public meeting in Allington organised by ward councillor Stuart Jeffery (Green) and joined by his fellow councillor Stanley Forecast (Con) on 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 to a six-bed HMO without the need for planning permission. However, some other boroughs have imposed Article 4 rulings meaning formal consent is necessary.

Cllr Jeffery explained that an attempt had been made more than a year to have that ruling introduced at Maidstone but it has been defeated.

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 and two or three more added every month.

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 Stanley Forecast said: "It was a pleasure to meet so many residents on Monday evening alongside Cllr Jeffery.

"As a local councillor and Bentlif Close resident, 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 that a HMO could jeopardise this, as well as put massive strains on parking and road accessibility, is why I will be working cross-party to ensure it does not go ahead”

The HMO application can be viewed on the council website here.

Application number 23/500212 refers.

The planning application is due to go before the council's planning committee in March.