New timber shopfront at 81-, 83 Castle Road, Southsea

The site and its setting

The site was a retail unit on Castle Road’s east side, within the Castle Road Conservation Area, where many shops retain historic features.

“The application site is now a single retail unit towards the southern end of Castle Road on the east side. The eastern side of Castle Road is characterised by retail units at the ground floor level, many retaining original or historic features. The application site is located within Conservation Area 12: Castle Road.”

“The Castle Road Conservation Area was formally designated in November 1971. This is one of the oldest surviving parts of Southsea. Castle Road is of mixed character, with much retail and other leisure facilities at ground level, particularly on the east side of the road, with residential accommodation also prevalent.”

Officer report

Earlier permission and enforcement

A previous shopfront permission was not followed, and the current unauthorised metal frontage led to enforcement-related remedial proposals.

“23/01198/FUL Amalgamation of the retail spaces at ground floor and replacement shopfronts Conditional Permission 16.11.2023”

“Officers advised submitting new details for timber shop front to correct unauthorised metal shop front…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended conditional permission because the proposal would preserve the conservation area and significantly improve the shopfront’s appearance.

“No weight is attached to the unlawful shopfront in considering the merits of this planning application. The starting point is the appearance of the property at the point of the approval of 23/01198/FUL. The previous shopfront, before the unauthorised installation of the black aluminium shop front was also of metal construction, being purple in colour.”

“The proposed shop front is considered to preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area, being of a suitable appearance within Castle Road. The proposal is considered be a significant improvement over the original shopfront in 2023 when the first consent was granted. Having regard to all material planning considerations including local and national policy the application is recommended for conditional permission.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two Castle Road Community Association representatives spoke against the proposal, followed by the applicant.

Members’ questions and debate

Officers explained the fallback permission, door position, access, bay window, plasterwork and cash machine issues before members discussed conservation and materials.

“Members' Questions In response to Members' questions, officers clarified:”

“The door placement was due to a column and the new location would still preserve the conservation area and be wide enough for disabled access.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee granted conditional permission and added a condition requiring disabled access.

“Member's Comments The application was considered a modest application involving the removal of non- conforming windows to be replaced with windows which met the Authority's standards. It was noted that maintaining the attractiveness of the city's conservation areas contributed to the visitor economy.”

“RESOLVED to grant conditional permission with the addition of a condition for disabled access.”

Minutes