8-person HMO at 49 North End Avenue, Portsmouth

What was proposed

The application sought to change a dwelling into an eight-bedroom, eight-person house in multiple occupation.

“The proposal is for the change of use of the property from a dwellinghouse (Class C3) to an 8 Bedroom - 8 Person House in Multiple Occupation (Sui Generis).”

“The Applicant has stated that extensions shown on the submitted plans - single storey rear extension and roof extension - would be constructed under Permitted Development in order to facilitate the change of use. The property would be extensively re-modelled internally.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a mid-terrace, two-storey dwelling with a front forecourt, rear garden and access to nearby shops, services and public transport.

“The application site is a mid-terrace two storey dwelling in an area which is predominantly characterised by two storey terraced dwellings. The application site benefits from a small front forecourt for the storage of bins etc. and a rear garden.”

“The site is approximately 400m from North End Local Centre, where there are a range of shops, leisure, employment and services. Frequent bus services are available along Stamshaw Road (350m west) and London Road (300m east). Stamshaw Park is approximately 675m to the west, and the Mountbatten Centre 400m to the north.”

Officer report

Objections received

Twelve objections raised concerns including parking, overdevelopment, accommodation standards, local character, noise, services, crime and loss of a family home.

“Number of HMOs in the area and wider city; • Impact on parking - highway safety, air quality, emergency services access; • Impact of local character; • Impact from noise of the development; • Impact of local services, including doctors, dentists; the sewer network; • Increase instances of anti-social behaviour and crime; • Property is too small;”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from an objector, the agent, the applicant and two ward councillors.

The vote

A proposal to refuse permission for insufficient parking and overdevelopment was lost.

“A proposal to refuse the application on the grounds of insufficient parking and overdevelopment was lost.”

Minutes

The decision

Conditional planning permission was granted in line with the officer recommendation, with a gate required at the rear bicycle store before occupation.

“RESOLVED: That conditional planning permission be granted in accordance with the officer recommendation, with Condition 3 amended to require the installation of a gate to the bicycle store at the rear prior to occupation.”

Minutes