Medway Council is pressing ahead with its plans for tighter controls on houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), after its consultation process receiving only four responses.

The figures, published ahead of a cabinet decision next week, are from feedback gathered when the authority introduced an Article 4 Direction covering seven wards earlier this year.

It follows what the council described as growing concern from residents and the MP for Gillingham and Rainham, Naushabah Khan, about the spread of HMOs.

Two objections

Of the four submissions received, two objected, arguing the policy should be applied on a street-by-street basis rather than across entire wards, and warning it could reduce housing supply and affordability. The remaining two were in favour of the restrictions on HMOs.

The rationale for the introduction of the Article 4 Direction remains clear.”

Despite the muted response, Kent Online reported council officers saying “the rationale for the introduction of the Article 4 Direction remains clear” as they warned that a more targeted approach “would be more likely to displace the issue rather than address it”.

They also rejected claims that the policy would restrict supply, stating that only schemes failing to meet required standards or harming the local area would be refused.

The Article 4 Direction, introduced earlier this year, removes permitted development rights for smaller HMOs, meaning all such conversions must now go through the planning system.

The consultation ran alongside the rollout, with feedback collected during a month-long period.

The direction applies to parts of Chatham, Gillingham and Strood, in seven wards with the highest concentrations of HMOs.

Cabinet members will decide on 5th May whether to make the direction permanent.