Seven-person HMO at 287 Laburnum Grove, Portsmouth

What was proposed

The application sought to change a dwelling into a seven-bedroom, seven-person house in multiple occupation, with communal space and ensuite rooms.

“The proposal is for the change of use of the property from a dwellinghouse (Class C3) to a 7 Bedroom - 7 Person House in Multiple Occupation (Sui Generis).”

“Ground Floor - Two bedrooms (single occupancy) with ensuite shower rooms; communal combined amenity area, tanks room; • First Floor - Three bedrooms (single occupancy) with ensuite shower rooms; • Second floor - Two bedrooms (single occupancy) with ensuite shower rooms.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a mid-terrace property without off-street parking, near shops, services and frequent bus routes, with waste storage in the front forecourt.

“The application site comprises a mid-terrace property on the northern side of Laburnum Grove, in the section between Kensington Road and Copnor Road. There is no off‑street parking available on site. The property has a rear garden, and the waste storage is currently accommodated within the front forecourt.”

“The site is approximately 100m from Copnor Road South Local Centre, where there are a range of shops, leisure, employment and services. There are high frequency bus services along Copnor Road 180m from the site and additional bus services 350m from the site along Chichester Road. The nearest railway station is Hilsea, around 2km to the north.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Prior approval was not required for a single-storey rear extension, and physical works had not started when officers visited.

“The Applicant has stated that extensions to the property would be achieved under Permitted Development (loft conversion) and Prior Approval (rear extension granted under App No. 25/00053/GPDC - see 4.1 below). The extensions would be constructed in order to facilitate the change of use. The property would be remodelled internally however these changes do not require planning permission. At the time of the site visit, the physical works have not commenced.”

“25/00053/GPDC Construction of single storey rear extension, extending 6m beyond the rear wall, with a height of 3m to the eaves and maximum height of 3m - Prior Approval not required. 09.02.2026”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers found the proposal acceptable and recommended delegated conditional permission, subject to a legal agreement securing Solent protection mitigation.

“RECOMMENDATION I - That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director of Planning & Economic Growth to Grant Conditional Permission subject to satisfactory completion of a legal agreement to secure:”

“(a) the mitigation of the impact of the proposed residential development on Solent Special Protection Areas (recreational disturbance and nitrates) by securing the payment of a financial contribution and relevant conditions (below);”

Officer report

What residents objected to

Ten representations opposed the proposal, citing HMO concentration, loss of family housing, noise, room measurements, parking, waste, drainage and construction disturbance.

“Overconcentration of HMOs, and concerns about policy compliance; a specific review of HMOs within Laburnum Grove requested. • Loss of family housing and concerns about community cohesion; • Over-intensification of the use of a terraced property and concerns about noise and disturbance; • Several representations challenge the accuracy of room measurements; • Concerns about the accuracy of the information within the application form; • Drainage, sewage and utility capacity,…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker gave a deputation supporting the application, while Councillor Benedict Swann gave a deputation against it.

What members debated

Members discussed bedroom light and space, HMO numbers, parking shortfall and concerns about HMOs, but some considered the proposal met the required standards.

“Members' Questions In response to questions, officers provided the following information as clarification: • Officers had checked that bedrooms 1, 2 and 4 met the space standards as they were over 10m 2 . The corridor areas in bedrooms 3 and 5 were additional to the minimum space requirement. Likewise, the area below the grey line in the floor plan for bedroom 6 was in addition to the minimum space.”

“Members' Comments In discussion, members made the following comments: • Some members were not convinced there was adequate light in bedroom 2, particularly with the extension. Other members felt that enlarging the window to full length made it satisfactory. • Bedroom 4 has been a bedroom before so it is already a habitable room. • Some members felt they were attending the committee to rubber stamp officers' recommendations and questioned the point of their attendance.”

Minutes

The committee's decision

The committee resolved to grant delegated conditional permission, with authority to amend conditions and refuse if the legal agreement was not completed within three months.

“RESOLVED that 1. Delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director of Planning & Economic Growth to Grant Conditional Permission subject to satisfactory completion of a legal agreement to secure: (a) the mitigation of the impact of the proposed residential development on Solent Special Protection Areas (recreational disturbance and nitrates) by securing the payment of a financial contribution and relevant conditions (below); 2.”

Minutes