Seven-person HMO at 1 Munster Road, Portsmouth

What was proposed

The application sought to change a dwellinghouse into a seven-bedroom, seven-person house in multiple occupation, with extensions and a rear bike store.

“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).”

“The Applicant has stated that extensions achieved under Permitted Development would be constructed in order to facilitate the change of use. The Permitted Development extensions include the single storey rear extension, roof extensions to accommodate the additional floor, and other minor works such as rooflights/roof lanterns. The property would be extensively re-modelled internally, and the small extension to the side of the rear wing would be removed.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The property is on a short one-way residential street of mainly terraced homes, close to shops, services, public transport and recreation.

“The application site is Munster Road, in Nelson Ward. Munster Road is a short residential street which connects London Road at the east to Gladys Avenue to the west. It is a one-way road, from west to east. The street is characterised by terraced residential dwellings of approximately late 19 th century construction. The application site is adjoined by a large block of flats to the east, and another Victorian terraced dwelling to the west.”

“The site is approximately 200 m from London Road Local Centre, where there are a range of shops, leisure, employment and services, and local buses. London Road has a wide variety of amenities and transport links. The site is approximately 1.75km from Hilsea rail station. Nearby recreation includes Stamshaw Park and the Mountbatten…”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions covered childminding, while a later application to create two self-contained flats was refused.

“App No - A*27194, USE OF TWO ROOMS FOR CHILDMINDING PURPOSES Decision - Granted Date - 27/2/1969”

“App No - A*27194/B, CONVERSION OF HOUSE TO FORM TWO SELF-CONTAINED FLATS Decision - Refused Date - 29/11/1988”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers concluded that the proposal was acceptable and recommended conditional permission, subject to an agreement securing mitigation for Solent protection areas.

“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

Objections received

Thirty-four representations opposed the proposal, raising concerns about parking, noise, waste, extensions, community character, services, room sizes and antisocial behaviour.

“Parking pressure, with parking shortages on Munster Road and the surrounds and the concerns that up to 14 occupants could all bring vehicles. • Amenity concerns through the increase in noise and disturbance. Construction disturbances. Environmental Health concerns (vermin, pollution etc) • Waste issues through fly tipping and overflowing bins, litter etc • Overdevelopment of the site through the large extensions.”

Officer report

People who spoke

The committee heard from an opposing speaker, an agent and an opposing representative speaking on behalf of another person.

Members’ concerns

Members focused on the half-space parking shortfall, possible effects on highway safety and residential amenity, and the cumulative effect across applications.

“Members' Comments As with 16 Munster Road, Members raised an issue in relation to the car parking shortfall against the agreed standards. This would have an effect on highway safety and residential amenity with cars circulating around looking for a parking space which may increase the danger to pedestrians as a result. It was also noted that if both applications were approved this would result in a shortfall of one space in Munster Road.”

“Members noted that as the committee had already approved 80 HMOs recently across the city each with a shortfall of half a car space, that equated to 40 car parking spaces so the cumulative effect of continued half a space shortfall had a significant effect overall.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee refused permission against the officer recommendation because of parking-related highway and amenity impacts and missing Solent protection mitigation.

“DECISION RESOLVED to refuse to grant planning permission contrary to officer recommendation for the following reasons:”

“Lack of car parking leading to highway safety impacts and loss of amenity for residents…”

Minutes