Plans to turn an Ibstock home into a seven-bedroom home of multiple occupancy (HMO) have been given the green light by North West Leicestershire District Council.

Loughborough-based Creative Property Partners applied for permission in April to convert 92 Chapel Street from a conventional dwelling house.

The HMO will include a loft conversion, rear dormer and front rooflights, first-floor rear roof extension, single-storey rear extension and associated works.

A council officer's report says the existing property is a three-bed end-of-terrace property.

But the report also says: "Whilst comments have been raised throughout the course of the application, outlining concerns that there is no need for HMOs in the area, at the time of writing, there are no policies within the Local Plan that restrict the number or concentration of houses in multiple occupation within Ibstock.

"Where there are no relevant policies, permission should be granted unless any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.

"The proposal would see the existing three-bedroom house change to a HMO to accommodate seven people.

"As such, the principle of development is considered to be acceptable, subject to all other planning matters being addressed.

"The residents of the property would utilise shared services such as a communal kitchen, dining room, living room, bathrooms and outside amenity space.

"In terms of the suitability of the accommodation for the proposed future occupiers, the council's Good Design SPD states that: 'Buildings should be designed internally to ensure that spaces are fit for their intended purpose with adequate internal space for their intended purpose'.

"It is considered that there would be sufficient private and communal space for the occupiers of the HMO to be afforded a high standard of amenity and as such, would be acceptable on these grounds."