PLANS to enlarge a house in multiple occupation in Pokesdown have been refused.

The property at 9 Parkwood Road already hosts a five bed HMO as well as a two bed ground floor flat, and an application submitted to Bournemouth council sought to convert the building into an eight bed HMO.

According to the report by planning officers, there are 11 other HMO properties in the vicinity, breaching council policy restricting such uses to 10 per cent of housing stock.

The report says: "This is quite clearly an area with a high number of HMO uses, due to the proximity to a number of schools and also the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic."

Officers refused permission for the scheme under delegated powers. Their report said: "Given the already substantial portion of the area being in HMO use, a further addition is likely to have a materially harmful impact in this location.

"There is therefore a greater potential for noise and disturbance, eroding the quiet enjoyment and private amenities of neighbouring properties." No objections were submitted.