A house in Chester is set to be turned into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) after an application was rubber-stamped.

Planning officers at Cheshire West and Chester Council have backed a plan to convert the property on Ermine Road into an HMO for up to six people.

An HMO is defined as a property shared by multiple households with individual bedrooms but some shared facilities, such as bathrooms or kitchens.

Whilst an objection had been received, planning documents said that it could not be taken into account due to the fact the scheme was not being considered for full planning permission, but rather permitted development rites.

Such rites allow houses to be turned into HMOs if the HMO is under a certain size. Instead, it only requires a lawful development certificate.

The planning officer's report said: "An objection has been received raising concerns regarding matters such as parking provision, highway safety and the suitability of the proposed use.

"However, an application for a lawful development certificate is not an application for planning permission and does not involve an assessment of the planning merits of the proposal.

"The council's role is limited to determining whether the proposed use would be lawful, based on the facts presented and the relevant planning legislation.

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"As such, issues relating to the planning merits of the development, including parking and other amenity considerations, cannot be taken into account in the determination of this application assessment."

Only larger HMOs require full planning permission, however councils do have planning tools they can bring to bear over HMOs.

Authorities can impose an article 4 direction on an area which requires all applications for HMOs, regardless of size, to require full planning permission,

In Chester, such directions currently exist in the Garden Quarter, Brook Lane/Newry Park and King Street areas.

They have proven controversial nationally, with opponents saying they place a strain on local infrastructure, while backers say they provide affordable housing.