A house in Whitwick is to be converted into a five-bedroom house of multiple occupancy for nine people.

The property, in Church Lane, has been used as a four-bedroom dwelling.

But the applicant, Mr Alex Smith of Prestige Properties, has been given the go-head to develop the house.

There were three objections from residents who highlighted issues such as:

• The property (originally a 2 up 2 down) is not suitable for a large HMO

• No off-street car parking provision for residents or guests.

• proposed HMO would exacerbate existing car parking and highway and pedestrian safety issues.

• The loft has already been converted and the rear extension was commenced prior to an application being submitted.

• The rear extension blocks light.

• The storage of bins in the street would impede pedestrians and encourage rodents.

• Noise

• The proposed level of living accommodation would not be adequate for future occupiers

• Security issues.

• The loss of a family residence.

• Proposed use could impact upon property values.

But council planners have allowed the scheme to be permitted.

A council officer's report did, however, address the impact on the immediate residential area.

The report says: "The property currently has four bedrooms and has, until recently, been rented as a four bedroom dwelling house, capable of accommodating a large family group.

"The loft is currently being converted to a fifth bedroom, which does not require the benefit of planning permission.

"The proposed change of use to a larger HMO would accommodate a maximum of nine residents within five bedrooms.

:"The comments received from interested parties, raising concerns over the potential impacts of the proposal on the community, are acknowledged.

"It is accepted that the occupation of a dwelling by up to nine people would give rise to some level of noise and disturbance to neighbouring residents, particularly given the close proximity of the application property to neighbouring properties.

"However, the application must be assessed in the context of the existing situation.

"The property is currently a four bedroom dwelling house, and together with the recently converted loft bedroom, could accommodate a large multi-generational family of up to nine occupiers.

"Consideration has to be given as to whether the additional noise and disturbance generated by changing the use from a large family home to a large HMO, would give rise to a significant adverse impacts upon neighbouring residential amenities to warrant a refusal of permission in this case.

"Whilst it is accepted that there would be a large number of residents occupying a single dwelling, it is not considered that the change of use would give rise to significant noise and disturbance, over and above the existing permitted occupation to warrant a refusal of permission on this ground.

"No objections have been received from the Council's Environmental Protection team."