A previously-refused house of multiple occupation (HMO) in Earley has been given the go-ahead – after developers ditched plans to house residents in an outbuilding.

Wokingham Borough Council refused to allow the house on Elm Road to become a 10-bedroom HMO in March.

They said the people living in the proposed two bedroom outbuilding in the garden would not have ‘acceptable living conditions’ as it didn’t have a kitchen.

But developer Kennett Investments removed the proposals for two bedrooms in the outbuilding and reapplied for permission. This meant plans were now for eight bedrooms instead of 10.

Councillor Pauline Jorgensen asked for Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee to consider the plans – which would normally have been left up to planning officers to decide on.

She argued that there would not be enough parking on site to accommodate all the residents – adding to on-street parking.

But council officers said the plans provided sufficient off-street parking, with five spaces planned for.

Council officers said: “The scheme would provide sufficient off-street parking spaces for a property of this size, in accordance with the council’s parking standards.

“Cycle parking is included to promote sustainable travel, and the site is in a sustainable location, which would help reduce private car use. As such, the scheme would not generate the need for excessive on-street parking.”

Councillors on the planning committee approved the plans on Wednesday June 12.