BOURNEMOUTH Council refused planning permission for a Boscombe property that a meeting heard was linked to crime and disorder.

The owners of 11 Westby Road were already using the former care home as a 13-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

They applied for retrospective permission, and despite a recommendation to approve, the planning board turned them down.

The grounds for refusal of permission included the potential for crime and disorder, noise and disturbance, and the impact on residential amenities.

Boscombe West Cllr Jane Kelly, who was recently appointed cabinet member for regeneration, called in the application.

She told the board: “This property was last year identified as one of the worst 10 HMOs in Boscombe and was the subject of a multi-agency inspection due to the history of crime and disorder associated with it.

“The property has operated illegally as a HMO for several years and should not be allowed to continue as the usage has had an adverse effect on the residential amenity of the locality.

“Residents do not want it as it brings drug dealers and users to the road.”

Cllr Phil Stanley-Watts, who proposed the refusal, said: “This is a landmark decision. A concentration of any type of property in one area is not a good thing, especially HMOs.

“We want a better standard of living in the area.”