Seven-person HMO at 7 Sandringham Road, Portsmouth

What was proposed

The application sought to increase the existing HMO from six occupants to seven, involving internal room changes and a rear dormer extension.

“CHANGE OF USE OF SMALL HMO (C4) 6 OCCUPANTS TO ALLOW OCCUPATION AS AN HMO WITH 7 OCCUPANTS”

“The Applicant has sought planning permission for the change of use of the dwelling from the current lawful use of as a HMO with up to six individuals living together to allow up to 7 individuals to live together as an HMO. This change in occupancy will involve the repurposing of internal rooms and a rear-dormer Permitted Development extension.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a two-storey terraced dwelling in a mainly residential area, currently used as a six-person HMO.

“The application site is a two storey terraced dwelling in a predominately residential area. The application site is in current use as a C4 House in Multiple Occupation.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application for use as a dwellinghouse or six-person HMO was granted by the Planning Committee in February 2025.

“As below App No 24/01482/FUL, Change of use from house in multiple occupation (Class C4), to purposes falling within Class C3 (Dwellinghouse) or House in Multiple Occupation (Class C4) Decision - Granted, Planning Committee. Date 4.2.2025”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended unconditional permission because the occupancy increase was not a material change and the proposal complied with relevant policies.

“In the circumstances of the current application, it is considered that the increase in occupancy does not result in a significant difference in the character of the activities that would occur under the proposed occupation compared to the existing lawful use as a HMO with up to six occupants. As such it is considered that the change of use is not material and planning permission is not required for the increase in occupancy described in the application.”

“As detailed above, the application is considered to fully comply with the relevant policies of the Local Plan. However, notwithstanding the compliance or otherwise of the proposal with the polices of the Local Plan, it is noted that on the details of this case, the changes in the character of activities are not sufficiently significant, as a matter of fact and degree, to result in a material change in the use of this property.”

Officer report

Officers’ main findings

Officers considered the rooms, communal space, garden, neighbouring amenity and parking acceptable, and found no likely significant effect on protected areas.

“The repurposing of internal rooms to accommodate the additional occupant within this proposal will have an effect on the ratio of communal/amenity space compared to private bedroom space available internally for future occupants.”

“All of the rooms accord with the standards as set out within the HMO SPD, and all habitable rooms are of suitable configuration and would have good access to natural light and outlook. A small rear garden would also provide external amenity space for the residents. As such, it is considered the proposals accord with the SPD.”

Officer report

Objections received

Eleven objections raised concerns about parking, traffic, noise, community character, HMO concentration, standards, waste, antisocial behaviour and infrastructure.

“Parking and traffic, roads already overcrowded with limited resident parking and risk of more vehicles hunting for spaces • Residential amenity and community character, loss of family homes, increased noise and disturbance from transient tenants, and reduced privacy • Overconcentration of HMOs, area already saturated with up to 19 HMOs nearby, calls to reduce 10% threshold to 5% and extend radius to 100m • Infrastructure and services, pressure on water supply, sewage…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke to the committee.

Members’ discussion

Members noted that the application was an improvement and would not affect the balance of the community, with no questions recorded.

“Members' Questions There were no questions.”

“Members' Comments It was noted that this application is an improvement and would have no impact on the balance of the community.”

Minutes

The committee’s vote

The committee recorded a vote of 7 before resolving to grant conditional permission.

“RESOLVED that the scheme requires planning permission as a material change of use.”

“RESOLVED to grant conditional permission as per officer recommendation including additional conditions regarding the time limit, the plans, water efficiency, bicycle storage, implementation of the rear roof and ground floor extensions and S111 legal agreement for Special Protection Areas mitigation.”

Minutes