A previously-refused house of multiple occupation (HMO) in Earley has been given the go-ahead after developers ditched original plans to house residents in an outbuilding.
Wokingham Borough Council refused to allow the house on Elm Road to become a 10-bedroom HMO in March.
They said the people living in the proposed two-bedroom outbuilding in the garden would not have ‘acceptable living conditions’ as it didn’t have a kitchen.
But developer Kennett Investments removed the proposals for two-bedrooms in the outbuilding and reapplied for permission. This meant plans were now for eight-bedrooms instead of 10.
Councillor Pauline Jorgensen asked for Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee to consider the plans – which would normally have been left up to planning officers to decide.
She argued there would not be enough parking on site to accommodate all the residents – adding to on-street parking.
But council officers said the plans provided sufficient off-street parking, with five spaces planned for.
Council officers said: “The scheme would provide sufficient off-street parking spaces for a property of this size, in accordance with the council’s parking standards.
“Cycle parking is included to promote sustainable travel, and the site is in a sustainable location, which would help reduce private car use.
“As such, the scheme would not generate the need for excessive on-street parking.”
Councillors on the planning committee approved the plans on Wednesday June 12.
