Five-person HMO at 6 Winchester Road, Portsmouth

Objections received

Twelve representations opposed the proposal, citing noise, parking, services, HMO concentration, construction disturbance, publicity and privacy concerns.

“Twelve representations have been received in respect of the proposals. All object to the scheme.”

“Concerns about the publicity timescales - the site notice stated the deadline for comments as 31 st July 2026 and the website stated the deadline as 7 th August 2026. • Increase in noise and disturbance due to increase in number of HMOs in the area; • Concerns about the future occupants of the property; • Lack of car parking provision leading to an increase in traffic and exacerbation of existing on-street parking problems; • Undue strain on local services and…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Development Management lead presented the report, and officers answered members’ questions about waste, bicycles, licensing, plans and appeals.

Members’ concerns

Members considered the flat-fronted layout would make moving bins and bicycles through the house difficult and could harm future occupiers’ amenity.

“Members' comments A member raised concerns that the property's flat fronted layout would require bins and rubbish to be moved through the dining room and kitchen on collection days and questioned whether there was sufficient frontage for bins to be left out without obstructing the narrow pavement.”

“A member observed that the proposed HMO layout would be unsuitable and overdeveloped, as up to five occupants would need to move bins and bicycles through a cramped and awkward internal route to reach the rear garden. They considered that, in practice, bins and cycles were likely to be stored in the dining area, resulting in a poor residential amenity for future occupiers.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Members proposed and seconded refusal, and the committee resolved to refuse conditional planning permission.

“Members proposed and seconded a refusal of planning permission on the basis that the configuration of the internal layout represented an unsatisfactory development for future intended occupiers who would need to wheel their bicycles through the house and because of the unsatisfactory bin storage which had not been overcome by the plans presented.”

“RESOLVED that conditional planning permission be refused.”

Minutes