There are fears plans to convert empty offices into homes in multiple occupation (HMOs) will cause a parking nightmare and contribute to the ‘demise’ of a high street.

Seventeen studio apartments have been proposed in two Grade II-listed buildings above TJ’s E-Cigarettes and a former beauty and hair salon in Sittingbourne town centre.

There has been an increase in the number of landlords buying up larger family homes - or extending smaller ones - so they can fill them with several tenants.

The enhanced rental income has fuelled their popularity among investors keen to cash in on the need for homes.

There are various definitions of a house in multiple occupation but they generally involve at least five residents from different households living in the same property.

Cllr Ghlin Whelan (Lab), who represents Chalkwell on Swale council, has expressed concerns about the proposition.

He said: “The thing that concerns me most about these planning applications is the lack of consideration around parking.

“The people putting these HMO applications forward don’t make people aware of the issues around parking spaces, especially on a plan like this which is set to be in the High Street.”

HMOs must be registered with the council. In Swale, there are 38, of which 21 are in Sittingbourne.

The occupants share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom between them.

If you’re a landlord or property manager and your property is occupied by five or more people who are not related, married, in a civil partnership or living together as if they are married, you need an HMO licence. They last for five years.

Cllr Whelan continued: “The planners putting forward these applications all sing from the same song sheet.

“They say that people living in towns don’t need cars and therefore don’t need spaces.

“However, this plan alone, which could potentially see 17 new residents, could also see 17 additional cars that need somewhere to park.

“This isn’t just an issue with HMOs but all new-builds.

“There is no room to park on the roads around Sittingbourne town centre and it isn’t unusual to see some people partly parked on the road and paths.

“It also shouldn’t be down to the council and taxpayers to help fund and sort out parking for these private builds.”

The planning application states that there is no parking on site due to the high street location.

Cllr Whelan’s reservations come just months after councillors in Maidstone called for a stop on conversions to HMOs.

In some streets in the borough every other property is now an HMO, meaning neighbours struggle to park outside their homes.

In addition, it causes an enormous number of wheelie bins to be left in the street on collection days.

The ward’s councillors described the situation as a “nightmare” for the community.

Neighbours of the proposed Sittingbourne HMO have similar fears.

Mark Woods, who lives next to the building, commented: “Further to looking in depth at the drawings I have now changed my stance from neutral to objecting to this proposal.

“The high-density accommodation proposed is not suitable for a high street setting unless the demise of retail activity is the ultimate aim of developer and council.”

You can view the plans on Swale council’s website by clicking here and using the reference 22/503070/FULL.

Swale council has been contacted for comment.