Eight-person HMO at 21 Fraser Road, Southsea

Planning history

There was no planning history, but tenancy agreements showed continuous four-person HMO occupation between September 2015 and August 2025.

“The property does not benefit from a lawful development certificate or planning application for the change of use from C3 to C4. The agent has however provided tenancy agreements demonstrating over 10 continuous years of occupation in C4 use, for four persons, between the periods of 01.09.2015 and 01.08.2025.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Highways raised no objection subject to cycle storage, waste services asked for rejection, and six objections cited amenity, parking, waste and HMO concerns.

“Highways: Fraser Road is a residential road with bus stops and local amenities in close proximity to the north and south of the property. It is not considered that size of development would lead to a material impact to the function of the highway or result in any unacceptable safety impact given the current lawful use.”

“Number of HMOs in the road • Overcrowding • Undue strain on local services and infrastructure, including sewage, drainage, waste management and Doctors/Dentists • Increase in noise and disturbance • Increase in crime and anti-social behaviour • Lack of car parking provision leading to an increase in traffic and exacerbation of existing on-street parking problems • Concerns over the layout and standard of accommodation being provided • Loss of a family dwelling • Concerns…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Development Management Lead presented the report, and the agent made a deputation.

What members debated

Members debated street character, HMO concentration, increased occupancy, bin storage and whether bedrooms would receive enough light.

“Members' Questions • Regarding the front first-floor window, it was confirmed that the overall aperture will be increased from that presently in-situ to better reflect the character of the street scene. The upper panel will have the floor behind it and therefore be obscured glazed. The size of the aperture will be very similar to the previous window, and this falls under permitted development.”

“Members’ Comments Some members expressed concern that the character of the street scene is being eroded by changes to the front of the property that fall within permitted development. They noted that increasing occupancy by 17% would significantly alter the character of the area and the proposed use should be refused. The area already has 46.84% HMOs, and the addition of four occupants was considered a material factor.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee resolved to refuse the application.

“RESOLVED: That the application be refused for the following reasons:”

“1) The proposed is considered to be unacceptable in relation to the mix and balance of the area as it would intensify (double) the occupancy of an existing HMO within an area that is already substantially above the 10% threshold (at 48%). 2) The proposal would therefore result in harm to local amenity and is contrary to Policies PCS20 and PCS23 of the Portsmouth Plan (2012) and Policy PLP20.2 of the Pre- Submission Portsmouth Local Plan (2020-2040).”

Minutes