AN education centre in Tilbury has been given the go ahead to convert its upper floors into an HMO.

Tilbury Education and Cultural Association in St Chads Road is planning to turn its first and second floors into three bedrooms, providing accommodation for up to four people.

An existing external staircase, which currently provides access to the first floor, would be retained with an extension to the landing area. A new entrance door is proposed to the rear at the first floor level to provide access to the residential accommodation.

The centre on the ground floor of the mid-terrace property will remain.

In their report, planning officers said the proposal would involve "limited operational development, retaining the existing property within its current footprint and scale".

They said: "The physical alterations, including the enlargement of the external staircase, the installation of a new entrance door on the eastern elevation, and the addition of a rooflight to the main roof slope, would be minor in scale and design.

"These changes would be confined to the rear and roof of the property, ensuring no detrimental effect on the privacy, outlook, or light levels of surrounding neighbouring properties. The proposed use of the upper floors as a small-scale House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), accommodating a maximum of four occupants, would be in keeping with the residential nature of the surrounding area."

The report added: "The intensity of the proposed use would remain modest, and it is not anticipated to generate noise or activity levels beyond what is typical for residential use. Consideration has also been given to the rear access and external staircase.

"Given the scale and nature of the proposal, its extension and use are not expected to result in undue noise, overlooking, or disturbance to neighbouring occupiers. As a result, the proposed development would not result in any significant or adverse impacts on the amenity of neighbouring properties."