Six-person HMO at 12 Gurney Road, Southampton

The site and surroundings

The property is a two-storey semi-detached dwelling in a suburban residential area, with a previous side garage extension and rear conservatory.

“The property comprises a two storey semi-detached dwelling, located in a suburban area characterised by residential properties of similar character and style. The site is within close walking distance of Shirley commercial area, and it should be noted that most of the surrounding residential streets have no parking restrictions. The property was previously extended with a side garage with bedroom above and a conservatory to the rear.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, finding the proposal consistent with development plan policies and that other considerations did not justify refusal.

“Reason for granting Permission The development is acceptable taking into account the policies and proposals of the Development Plan as set out below. Other material considerations have been considered and are not judged to have sufficient weight to justify a refusal of the application, and where applicable conditions have been applied in order to satisfy these matters.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Fourteen residents and a ward councillor objected, citing parking, highway safety, HMO intensity, noise, concentration, living conditions and waste storage.

“Adverse impact on street parking demand and highway safety, where existing parking is at saturation and there is additional pressure from visitors to Shirley shopping area. The results of the parking survey undertaken in accordance with the Lambeth Methodology is flawed as the survey (i) is a snapshot in time does not address parking demand during the day which is observed by residents to be the busiest and has the most competition for spaces, (ii) focuses on capacity…”

“2021 Census data shows that 74% of households in Shirley ward have 1 or more cars/vans and 27% have no cars/vans. In addition to the parking survey evidence provided, there are limited street parking controls to minimise displacement of the parking demand of HMO in local residential streets, however, the potential parking demand for this small HMO (2 spaces) coupled with high accessibility to alternative modes of sustainable transport near Shirley Road will reduce demands…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant addressed the Panel, and the Panel noted a written statement from two residents.

Panel discussion and decision

The presenting officer corrected the survey’s duplicated property entry and a condition-numbering typo; the Panel then unanimously approved the application with conditions.

“The presenting officer reported that there had been an error in report at Appendix 1 - no. 16 duplicated in 40m radius survey of residential properties which reduces the total number of residential properties from 25 to 24, however, the concentration of HMOs within the 40m radius still remains at 4% below the 10% concentration. There was also a typo in report for ordering condition 6 and 7.”

“The Panel then considered recommendation that the application be conditionally approved. Upon being put to the vote the recommendation was unanimously carried.”

Minutes