A council is making moves to control the spread of HMOs, as two more homes and a tattoo shop could be converted in an area where they have already caused controversy.

According to Independent councillor Paul Harper, Fant already has the highest density of HMOs (houses of multiple occupancy) of any ward in Maidstone, and now three more could be on the way.

“Just the other week, the borough’s planning committee was asked to determine two HMO applications - one in Bower Place and one in St Michael’s Road, then straight away afterwards, three more were submitted,” he said.

“This is just too much.”

HMOs help meet the housing crisis by providing cheaper accommodation, usually for single people.

The occupants have their own room - and sometimes their own bathroom - but usually share a living space and kitchen with others unrelated to them.

However, this form of accommodation is generally unpopular with existing residents because it can lead to pressure on parking, more waste bins, and a change in the character of the area, blamed on the often more transient nature of the residents.

Cllr Harper previously said: “In Fant and Oakwood Ward conversions of properties to HMOs are occurring at the rate of one a month, sometimes one a week. The area cannot take more of this.

“The character of inner urban Maidstone is changing at a rapid rate.”

Under current legislation, any house can be converted to an HMO of six beds or fewer without the need for a full planning application but Maidstone has also suffered from a lack of any policy to address the issues caused by HMOs.

The latest applications inclide one made by Phoevos Kardana for a five-bed HMO. But this one does need full planning permission because it involves the conversion of a shop into an HMO.

Mr Kardana wants to transform the Shady Custom Tattoo parlour at 389 Tonbridge Road. There is no extra parking planned or a bin store.

If the application is successful, the tattoo business will have to move. A spokesman said: “We have identified new premises in Larkfield and believe our clientele will follow us there. So it’s annoying, but not a catastrophe.”

Meanwhile, Omer Mehmet has submitted two Lawful Development Certificate applications for terraced properties to be converted.

One is for the erection of a single-storey rear extension, a loft conversion with side and rear dormer extensions, and the conversion of a property in Douglas Road, Fant, into a six-bed HMO.

His second application is for a proposed loft conversion and a single-storey rear extension in order to convert an existing home in Tonbridge Road, Fant, into another six-bed HMO.

Find out about planning applications that affect you in the Public Notice Portal.

Maidstone council has no adopted planning policy to control the spread of HMOs, despite frequent calls from Cllr Harper and others that there needs to be one.

However, that may soon be about to change.

Cllr Tony Harwood (Lib Dem) is the cabinet member for planning policy.

He said: “I can confirm we have a timeline to introduce a Supplementary Planning Document to fill the national and local policy void on HMOs.“

“The HMO Supplementary Planning Document and associated report will go to the planning policy advisory committee on March 5, followed by cabinet, on March 19.

“Assuming all goes well at both meetings, the borough will commence a public consultation on March 31.

“Allowing for the resolution of any issues raised by key stakeholders and the wider public, this will enable the Supplementary Planning Document to be published in the late spring or early summer.

“Council planners sometimes get a bad press, but the extent of the research and volume of empirical evidence required to support the development of a document that will be able to stand up to the inevitable challenge [from developers] was immense.”