Plans to keep a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Leamington Spa have been refused once again, with the building currently being put to that use without planning permission.

A previous application for the flats at Tachbrook Street was refused in 2024, while Warwick District Council's planning committee last night (September 9) threw out another proposal for the development.

The scheme would have seen the first, second and third floors above a chemist turned from a single home to a studio flat, and two, four-bedroom HMO's.

While there were nine comments in support of the plans from members of the public, a council report recommended the application be refused.

Councillors were split over the decision but ultimately refused to grant planning permission, with much of the discussion focused on the bins around the flats.

Cllr Bill Gifford said: "Luckily, because it is a retrospective planning application, you can see how the bin storage is totally inadequate and it causes a real problem. 

"I would absolutely agree with the refusal."

Speaking on behalf of Leamington Spa Town Council, Cllr Ruggy Singh also addressed the meeting to raise concerns about the development.

"I am speaking on this application for a couple of reasons," he said. 

"There is a lack of waste management facilities and adequate cycle storage. 

"There is also sandwiching of 173 to 171 Tachbrook Street and 6 and 7 Market Place. 

"We also have some concerns regarding the parking survey."

Council officers were unable to say how long people have been living at the HMO for.

Retrospective planning permission was refused.

See the full application here.