Seven-person HMO with shop at 246 Havant Road, Portsmouth

“CHANGE OF USE OF PART GROUND FLOOR AND UPPER FLOOR, FROM COMMERCIAL (CLASS E) TO 7-BED/7-PERSON HOUSE IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION (SUI GENERIS) TO INCLUDE RETENTION OF PART GROUND FLOOR COMMERCIAL UNIT (CLASS E), INSTALLATION OF NEW SHOPFRONT INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL ACCESS DOORS, CONSTRUCTION OF MANSARD ROOF EXTENSION, REAR TERRACE AT GROUND FLOOR LEVEL, AND ASSOCIATED BICYCLE AND REFUSE STORAGE”

“25/01389/FUL | CHANGE OF USE OF PART GROUND FLOOR AND UPPER FLOOR, FROM COMMERCIAL (CLASS E) TO 7-BED/7-PERSON HOUSE IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION (SUI GENERIS) TO INCLUDE RETENTION OF PART GROUND FLOOR COMMERCIAL UNIT (CLASS E), INSTALLATION OF NEW SHOPFRONT INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL ACCESS DOORS, CONSTRUCTION OF MANSARD ROOF EXTENSION, REAR TERRACE AT GROUND FLOOR LEVEL, AND ASSOCIATED BICYCLE AND REFUSE STORAGE | 246 HAVANT ROAD PORTSMOUTH PO6 1PA”

“E at ground and first floor. The property is the eastern of a pair of commercial properties, and features a pitched tiled roof, with a two-storey flat roofed side extension. The ground floor frontage is a standard shopfront, with a fascia board advert. At first floor the finish is in a white painted render. The adjoining part of the pair features a side roof gable, shop front and brick finish at first floor level.”

“The surrounding area has a mixed character with varied building and roof forms. The immediate area is predominantly two-storey, with notable exceptions to the east, is a three- storey commercial flat roof building and to the north is a four-storey residential building 'Langstone Court'. Further to the west are other examples of three and four storey buildings. To the south is Aldsworth Close a two-storey residential terrace, which backs onto the rear of the site.”

“25/00435/FUL: Change of use of part ground floor and upper floor, from commercial (Class E) to 8-bed/8-person house in multiple occupation (Sui generis) to include retention of ground floor commercial unit (Class E), installation of new shopfront including residential and commercial access doors, construction of Mansard roof extension, rear terrace at ground floor level, and associated bicycle and refuse storage.”

“The proposal, by reason of the increased parking demand associated with the change of use, would fail to make provision for car parking in accordance with the requirements of the Council's adopted Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) 2014.”

“The principle of development is accepted as the proposal would contribute an additional residential accommodation and retain commercial use in a local centre which would support the objectives of the development plan. In addition, the standard of accommodation is good in respect to room sizes, the appearance of the proposed physical alterations, and waste storage provision, would be considered acceptable in design terms.”

“RECOMMENDATION I - That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director of Planning & Economic Growth to Grant Conditional Permission subject to satisfactory completion of a legal agreement to secure:”

“No objection. The site is located along Havant Road with a range of amenities and public transport available. Given the size of the development and its current lawful use, I am satisfied the proposal would not have a material impact upon the function of local highway network. Given the constraints of the site, only one vehicle space can be provided within the curtilage of the property.”

“The property is located in an area with a high daily volume of traffic, and no information has been provided as to whether future tenants will be protected against traffic noise and any noise emanating from the retained commercial unit. Two conditions for noise insulation have therefore been requested.”

“The following objections were made to the scheme;”

“Existing HMOs in the area (specific mention of No.187 Havant Road) • Impact on parking • Loss of the bike shop • Increase in noise • Overlooking to the properties to the rear • Lack of family housing • Concerns over waste and recycling • Size of the shop with no storage • Proposal does not sufficiently address previous refusal • Contrary to Policy PCS18 of the Portsmouth Plan - due to the loss of the shop…”

“Members' Comments Members supported the application on the basis that the applicant had responded to the previous refusal by increasing the size of the retained ground-floor commercial unit and improving the overall design. It was noted that there was an oversupply of retail space nationally, and that mixed use buildings with shops at ground level and residential accommodation above were common and could help keep local shopping centres viable.”

“Members considered the application provided a good standard of accommodation.”

“Delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director of Planning & Economic Growth to grant conditional permission subject to satisfactory completion of a legal agreement to secure 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…”

“Delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director of Planning & Economic Growth to refuse planning permission if a legal agreement has not been satisfactorily agreed within one month of the date of this resolution.”