7-bed, 9-person HMO at 47 Whitwell Road, Southsea

“The proposal is for the change of use of the property from a dwellinghouse (Class C3) to 7-bed/9-person House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Sui Generis).”

“Basement - Utility room, and store; • Ground Floor - two bedrooms (single occupancy) with ensuite shower rooms; communal combined amenity area; storage space; • First Floor - two bedrooms (double occupancy) with ensuite shower rooms, one bedroom (single occupancy) with ensuite shower room; • Second floor - two bedrooms (single occupancy) with ensuite shower rooms.”

“The application site is a two-storey semi-detached property on the northern side of Whitwell Road. Whitwell Road is a residential road running south from Craneswater Gate and then west towards Parkstone Avenue. It is bisected by Bembridge Crescent. It is located within Craneswater and Eastern Parade Conservation Area (No.29) but not included in any Art. 4 direction.”

“20/01076/HOU - Alterations to existing boundary wall fronting the highway, to facilitate new drop kerb for 1no. off-street parking space Conditional Permission 07 May 2021”

“The permission was not implemented and lapsed by the time the current planning application was made. The applicant was advised the proposed off-street parking space could be included in the current planning application alongside change of use, however they decided not to include it.”

“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:”

“RECOMMENDATION III - That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director of Planning & Economic Growth to refuse planning permission if a legal agreement has not been satisfactorily agreed within one month of the date of this resolution.”

“No objection. Whitwell Road is formed of residential properties with parking restricted via the MF CPZ Zone, which is operating at 100.42% capacity, with bus stops and local amenities in close proximity. The proposal would not have a material impact upon the function of the local highway network. With regards to cycle storage, the proposal indicates secure cycle storage within the rear garden, a suitably worded condition should be attached.”

“According to the FRA, the basement floor level is approximately 1.0m AOD, which means it could be exposed to over 3.0m of floodwater in a future flood scenario. The designation of the basement as habitable space (e.g., a TV Room) raises concern, as it could set a precedent for future use as sleeping accommodation.”

“Forty-two representations have been received in respect of the proposals, all objecting to the scheme. Two representations were provided without the full postal address of the objector, and there were ten instances where multiple comments were received from the same address. Councillor Candlish called the application in for determination by the Planning Committee, on the grounds of concerns from the neighbouring residents.”

“Inaccuracies in the drawings showing the non-existent driveway and non-existent parking space; concerns about parking and traffic congestion; • Concerns about the Flood Risk Assessment; • Over-concentration of HMOs; • The proposal would be out of character within the area and would contravene Local Plan (policies 19,20,23 in particular) and national policies; • Concerns about the proposed occupancy levels given the large size of the bedrooms (particularly 5 and 7); •…”

“Members' Comments One member expressed concerns about the living standards, particularly the living space for nine people especially during mealtimes. It was considered that bedroom seven lacked sufficient light. A proposal was put forward to refuse the application based on overdevelopment, over-concentration and changes to the area's character under PCS20 and PCS23.”

“One member emphasised the importance of preserving the conservation area, particularly the historic chimney stack and argued that the removal of the chimney stack and other features would compromise the area's integrity. They highlighted the existing parking issues and considered adding more bedspaces would worsen the situation as future occupants would likely bring cars to the area.”

“DECISION 1. Delegated authority was granted to the Assistant Director of Planning & Economic Growth to grant conditional permission subject to a satisfactory completion of a legal agreement to secure 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.”

“Delegated authority was granted to the Assistant Director of Planning & Economic Growth to refuse planning permission if a legal agreement has not been satisfactorily agreed within one month of the date of this resolution.”