13-bedroom hostel at 57 - 59 Bury Road, Gosport

“This Gosport Borough Council application relates to a pair of large semi-detached properties located at the junction of Bury Road, Foster Road and Gordon Road. The properties are located towards the east of the site with a frontage onto Bury Road set back by a hard surfaced parking area, and with enclosed gardens to the rear backing onto Foster Road.”

“Planning permission is sought for the use of both properties as a Hostel (a Sui Generis use) to provide temporary emergency accommodation. This would comprise 13 en-suite bedrooms at ground, first and second floor level with communal kitchen, living and office/consultation accommodation at ground floor level.”

“The surrounding area is predominantly residential in character with a mix of building types. The southern side of Bury Road, immediately to the east of the application site, comprises similar semi- detached pairs of properties, a number of which have been sub-divided into flats. The northern side of Bury Road forms the core of the Conservation Area with a number of Grade II Listed villa style properties set back behind tall boundary walls and verdant front gardens.”

“The planning history for the site indicates that the properties were previously connected and used as a guest house but were split and used as dwellings pursuant to permissions granted in 2000 (ref.99/00062/FULL) and 2004 (ref.04/00626/FULL).”

“80/10944/PA - Change of use from residential to guest house inclusive of provision for parking landscaping and alterations to access - Permitted 14.11.1980; 99/00062/FULL - Change of use from guest house to single Dwelling (Class C3) (No.57) and Guest House (Class C1) (No.59) (Conservation Area) - Permitted 17.02.2000; 01/00075/FULL - (No.59) Change of use from Guest House (Class C1) to Day Nursery (Class D1) and private Dwelling (Conservation Area) - Permitted 02.10.2001;”

“The application site is not the subject of any site specific policy restrictions, although it is located within the Urban Area Boundary where the principle of residential development is acceptable, subject to compliance with the relevant policies of the Gosport Borough Local Plan 2011-2029 (GBLP) and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).”

“The proposal relates to a specialist form of residential development which is neither connected to nor necessary for the management of any European designated sites. While the proposal would result in the addition of one bedroom above the existing lawful use, the proposal does not result in the creation of new residential buildings, and the nature of the proposed use is such that occupiers are likely to be existing residents of the Borough, would not use the facility as…”

“Building Control No objection: - The doors shown to be removed on the first floor will need to be kept to meet the requirement for adequate means of escape from fire. - Adequate acoustic insulation will be a consideration at the Building regulation application stage. - Sufficient EV charging points will be a further consideration at the Building Regulation application stage.”

“Hampshire Fire And Rescue Service No objection subject to compliance with Building Regulations. The proposal is considered to present a low to medium level of risk.”

“Five letters of representation raising objections to the proposal have been received from local residents and on behalf of the Foster Road Neighbourhood Watch. One letter of representation has been received from a local resident in support of the application but also raising concerns in respect of some aspects of the proposal.”

“Issues raised: - Inadequate public notification; - The absence of a Hostel Policy within the Local Plan; - The use is incompatible with the residential character of the area and risks undermining the purpose for which the 'Bury Road' Conservation Area was created; - There is a clear heritage value not just through architectural significance but through the look and feel and general character of the residential area which could be jeopardised by adding an element that is out…”

“The Board was advised by the Leader of the Council that the proposal was much needed, and that a lot of work had gone into procuring the hostel, this would reduce the amount of B and B accommodation needed and would provide short to medium term accommodation. It…”

“It was understandable that residents have concerns, the hostel would be managed in a similar way to Agnew and Barclay House. There would be a presence of staff seven days a week during working hours and an ability to respond 24/7 to any incidents. There would be 24/7 CCTV on site.”

“RESOLVED: That application 26/00030/GR3 be approved subject to the conditions in the report of the Head of Development Management…”