THURROCK Council planning officers have rejected an application to extend the size of a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) in Chadwell St Mary, saying the proposed site would be too cramped and the extension would increase the amount of traffic to an inappropriate level for the area.

The application sought to convert an existing incidental outbuilding to living accommodation as part of the HMO currently in use at 22 Nicolas Walk.

There were a number of local objections to the proposal and officers have concurred, saying the outbuilding has a floor area which would provide an unsuitable residential environment for future occupiers due to the cramped internal size.

In addition its limited outlook and the lack of sufficient outdoor amenity space and bin storage for the site as a whole indicate it would be an undesirable proposal.

In addition, despite the applicants' suggestion that the likely occupiers would not be able to afford to run vehicles, the officers believe the plan would cause an increase in the intensity of the residential use and vehicular movements to the site.