A plan to turn an empty north Kent pub into a house in multiple occupation has been thrown out by Dartford councillors.

An application to renovate the Greyhound in Main Street, Sutton at Hone, into an 11-bedroom HMO has been rejected following a meeting.

The developer, Bestsafe Development, wanted to replace the roof with a higher single-pitched roof increasing the height by 1.4m.

In its application, the developer said: "This proposal for the conversion of a former public house to form an HMO of 11 no. single bedrooms would be a positive addition to the local area.

"The proposals will reinvigorate a tired building that has been unoccupied for a number of years by providing high quality HMO units which will provide much needed choice for the local housing market.

"It will enable young persons to live locally, close to their families, and yet be able to commute to central London via nearby train station. It will bring much needed economy to the area and local businesses."

An HMO is a home that has at least three tenants living there - and the scheme for the Greyhound proposed 11 single bedrooms, along with 12 parking spaces.

However, the scheme has been rejected because of how the new roof would impact on the setting of a Grade II listed building - The Hollies.

The council rejected the application on the grounds that the height of the new new roof would have significant detrimental impact to the appearance of the building.