Councillors have thrown out one of the first planning applications for an house in multiple occupation (HMO) conversion under the new shared housing rules that started on April 6.

Calling the proposal  “thoroughly dreadful”, the  application to convert a hotel in to a HMO was rejected by Reading Borough Council’s planning committee.

The plan involved converting a three-storey building into 13 en-suite rooms with a lounge and kitchen on the ground floor and 10 parking spaces.

Planning officers said the proposal lacked detail, would offer poor standards for the tenants because communal facilities were inadequate and would have a detrimental effect on neighbours.

One planning committee member, Councillor Kirsten Bayes described it as a “thoroughly dreadful application”.

Need to know the new HMO rules? Read our comprehensive guide