Flexible C3 or C4 use at 2a Newcomen Road, Portsmouth

“CHANGE OF USE FROM DWELLINGHOUSE (CLASS C3) TO PURPOSES FALLING WITHIN DWELLINGHOUSE (CLASS C3) OR HOUSE IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION (CLASS C4), WITH MINOR EXTERNAL ALTERATIONS”

“The proposal is for the change of use of the property from a dwellinghouse (Class C3) to a dwellinghouse (Class C3) or House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Class C4). If granted, this would allow the applicant to use the property flexibly as either a C4 HMO or a C3 dwellinghouse for a period of up to 10 years under the rights granted under Class V, Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.”

“The application site is an end of terrace one bedroom, three-storey, dwellinghouse with an integral garage at ground floor. The top storey is accommodated in the original roofspace, supplemented by existing dormers to both elevations.”

“The site is approximately 550m north-west of North End Local Centre, where there are a range of shops, leisure, employment and services. The application site is within 100m of bus stops on Stamshaw Road (the A3), where there are frequent services into the city. The site lies within the FG Resident Parking Zone. Stamshaw Park is around 300 to the west of the site, and the Mountbatten Centre and surrounding parks are from 500m to the north.”

“A*34614/AC Conversion to form dwelling house including raising of roof and widening of rear dormer window and construction of dormer to front roof (revised scheme) Conditional Permission 21.06.2000”

“A*34614/AB Conversion to form dwelling house including raising of roof & construction of dormer to front roofslope Conditional Permission 27.03.2000”

“Having regard to all material planning considerations and representations it is concluded that the proposed change of use is acceptable and would be in accordance with the relevant policies of the Portsmouth Plan (2012), the HMO SPD, and the Development Plan as a whole along with the objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework (2024).”

“Time Limit The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of 3 years from the date of this planning permission.”

“Members' questions In response to a question, officers confirmed that there were no windows at the side of the amenity area at ground floor but there were now windows at each end with the high level one added to increase the amount of natural light.”

“Members' Comments In discussion, members made the following comments: • Members were pleased to see the big amenities room on the ground floor. Occupants could store belongings in cupboards there which would mean more room in the bedrooms. • The building was unusual and quite difficult to convert but it was a very sensible and laudable division of space. • Members appreciated the deputee's commitment to the proposal but realised it was not a planning consideration.”

“RESOLVED that conditional permission be granted as set out in the officer's report.”