Neighbours say they are devastated after plans to turn a terraced home into a seven-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) received planning approval.

In November last year, residents of Selbourne Road, Gillingham, set up a petition to oppose the development due to concerns over privacy, security and parking.

Those living nearby likened the plan to changing a house into a “mini hotel”.

Despite this, developer A&E Property Ltd says it is “excited to change perceptions” around HMOs.

The application for the HMO was submitted to Medway Council in October last year, with plans including a loft conversion, the insertion of dormer windows and other external works.

The existing house has four bedrooms but if the application had been turned down the fallback position would have been to convert it to a six-bedroom HMO instead under permitted development legislation.

On January 15, the application was heard at a council planning committee meeting where councillors voted six for and six against the proposals.

Due to the tie, chairperson Cllr Chrissy Stamp had the casting vote and said: “My vote still remains as for, therefore the application is approved.”

Explaining her position earlier in the meeting, she said: “Personally, I don’t like HMOs because I do think they are quite cramped with a lot of people in a small area, but I can’t really see apart from it being one over the six [bedrooms] any reasons for refusal on this.

“I do think we would lose at appeal which we can’t afford to do as a council so therefore reluctantly I will be voting for this application.”

Ward councillor for Gillingham North, Cllr Lia Mandaracas, spoke on behalf of concerned residents at the meeting.

She said: “While I can understand the need for additional housing, it does need to be mitigated against the concerns and amenities of residents.

“The most pressing of these is parking which in Selbourne and the surrounding area is already at capacity, with more permits than available spaces being issued.”

She also noted that although the application stated most tenants would be expected to use bicycles, she did not believe many people would choose to cycle instead of drive.

Cllr Mandaracas added: “These homes have long enjoyed a quiet residential environment and the introduction of multiple tenants would undoubtedly cause undue disruption particularly during later hours.”

She went on to urge the planning committee to reject the proposal.

Following representations from other councillors, both for and against, the vote was cast in favour.

Long-standing resident Allan Galvin who has lived in Selbourne Road for almost 50 years said he was “astounded” by the outcome.

He said: “We residents who attended the meeting were devastated at this turn of events.

“We’ve accepted it, and we know there is going to be a HMO there. But we’ve highlighted to residents that HMOs are a really concerning issue for people living in the area.

“They are trying to cram as many people into the building as they can.”

Retired electrician Allan reiterated his concerns regarding the secure alleyway at the back being a security problem with seven tenants and said the parking situation would now become “even harder”.

He added: “We are waiting now for the dreaded machinery and building works to start.

“It will look like an eyesore from the back because it’s going to protrude out much further than normal for this street - it’s just something we will have to put up with.”

Aaron Prowse, director at A&E Property Ltd said: “It’s brilliant news that we’ve received planning approval.

“Now, we can begin building, creating and delivering more value to the community.

“Ultimately, our goal is to improve the area by providing the highest quality housing.

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“We’ve taken care to respect the neighbours and have satisfied all concerns.

“Moving forward, we’re excited to change perceptions of HMOs as the community sees the exceptional housing and service A&E Property Ltd delivers.”