Flexible dwelling or HMO at 20 Winchester Road, Portsmouth

What was proposed

The application sought flexible use as either a dwellinghouse or a house in multiple occupation, with accommodation for five HMO occupants.

“The proposal is for the change of use of the property from a dwellinghouse (Class C3) to a dwellinghouse (Class C3) or House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Class C4). If granted, this would allow the applicant to use the property flexibly as either a C4 HMO or a C3 dwellinghouse for a period of up to 10 years under the rights granted under Class V, Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.”

“The proposed internal accommodation, with room sizes set out in Table 1 later in this report, comprises the following:”

Officer report

The site and setting

The site is an existing three-bedroom terraced house in a high-accessibility area near shops, services, buses and other amenities.

“The application site is 20 Winchester Road, Fratton. The site is a terraced dwellinghouse as existing with three bedrooms, a combined living/lounge space, kitchen and downstairs bathroom.”

“The site is approximately 200 m from Kingston Road Local Centre, where there are a range of shops, leisure, employment and services, and local buses. The site is equidistant from Kingston Cemetery and Buckland Park. The site is approximately half an hour's walk distance from Fratton Railway Station (1.2 miles). The site, in the terms of the Council's Parking Standards SPD is in a 'high accessibility area' due to its proximity to bus corridors and the local centre.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers considered the proposal acceptable, with suitable accommodation and no significant harm to neighbours, highways, waste or protected areas.

“As well as the matter of mixed and balanced communities discussed above, further details concerning neighbouring amenity are contained within PCS20 and the SPD. The SPD seeks to ensure that the amenity and standard of living environment of neighbours and local occupiers is protected.”

“Neither the Highways Officer nor Planning Officer raises an objection. It should be noted that the property could be occupied by a large family with adult children, each potentially owning a separate vehicle. In addition, it is considered that the site is within an area of good accessibility and located within an acceptable walking or cycling distance of various amenities and services.”

Officer report

What residents said

All 19 representations objected, raising concerns about HMO concentration, parking, amenity, refuse, infrastructure, drainage and notification.

“Cumulative impacts of HMOs on the surrounding area • Impact on infrastructure and local services • Impacts of the roof extension, scale of the dormer • No information on how refuse and recycling would be carried out, for 5 people • Parking problems existing on Winchester Road • Detrimental impacts to residential amenity • 10% rule infringements…”

Officer report

Who presented the item

The Development Management Lead presented the report, and the officer drew attention to updated plan information in the meeting materials.

Members’ concerns

A member raised concerns about apparent errors or inconsistencies between the published report and the meeting presentation and requested deferral.

“The officer drew attention to the information in the SMAT which did not change the officer recommendation but updated the plans condition. There was a member concern at apparent errors and/or inconsistency in the plans, between the published report and the meeting presentation, and deferral of the application was requested so that the matter could be rectified.”

Minutes

Why it was deferred

The committee deferred the application because of concerns about the accuracy of the plans.

“RESOLVED to defer the application because of concerns over the accuracy of the plans.”

Minutes