Plans to convert a Basingstoke bed-and-breakfast into a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) have been rejected by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The owner of Wessex House, located on Winchester Road, had submitted an application seeking permission to change the use of the property from a B&B to accommodate longer-term residents.

The building, which has been operating as a bed-and-breakfast for more than 30 years, has 10 en-suite bedrooms and could house 10 occupants under the proposed HMO conversion.

However, in a decision published last week, the council refused the application on multiple grounds.

READ MORE: Plan to convert Winchester Road B&B to HMO

The reasons for refusal include inadequate facilities, insufficient parking, and highway safety concerns among other factors.

The council said in its refusal notice that the applicant had failed to show that all rooms would have direct access to kitchen facilities.

The proposal also "lacked adequate parking provisions", with no space for 10 vehicles or any provisions for cycle parking.

The application also failed to provide details on refuse and recycling storage and collection points, which was flagged as another area of non-compliance with local planning standards.

Residents and interested parties can view the full details of the planning application and the council's decision on the Basingstoke and Deane planning portal by searching for reference 24/00163/FUL.