The UK’s largest lettings agency OpenRent has posted a listing on Rightmove for studio flats which is at the centre of a planning row.

The flats created in a former Premier Inn hotel near Gravesend in Kent, may not have planning approval and the local council is investigating.

Yet the advert, which was live when The Neg checked, says there are only two flats still available for a monthly rent starting at £700.

Potential breach

According to the Rightmove listing, the old Whitbread hotel, which has been renamed Bayswater House, boasts “delightful studios available to rent set in the beautiful area of Singlewell (near Gravesend)” with “a small kitchenette fully equipped” and “a thoughtful designed pull out bed”.

Gravesham Council says the building is still listed as a hotel and not a residential building, KentOnline reports.

A council spokesperson told KentOnline “We are looking into a potential breach of planning regulations at the site and are unable to comment any further at this point.”

Erroneous advice

Alder Design and Build, which submitted the planning application, says it was given “erroneous advice”.

Project manager Jim Godwin said on behalf of the owners: “The listing on Rightmove was slightly premature as the rooms were not available at that time and the decision to list at all was based upon some slightly erroneous advice.

“We had been advised by our planning consultant that the proposed use did not constitute a change of use from C1-hotel as the proposed use remained the ‘best fit’ given the available classifications.”

The Neg has approached OpenRent for comment.