Seven-bedroom HMO at 16 Fearon Road, Portsmouth

What was proposed

The application sought a seven-person, seven-bedroom HMO and a single-storey rear extension replacing existing rear structures.

“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) and the construction of a single storey rear extension.”

“As part of the application, a single storey rear extension is also proposed. While this can be completed in some instances under Permitted Development, and this was the Applicant's original understanding. Following a review by the case officer, it is considered that in this instance the extension (due to its depth and location of a side wall) does not benefit from Permitted Development rights.”

Officer report

The site

The property is a two-storey mid-terrace dwelling near shops, services, buses, a nursery and a school.

“The application site is a two-storey mid-terrace dwelling located on the eastern side of Fearon Road. The property features a two-storey bay window and is set back from the road by a short front forecourt and low brick boundary wall.”

“The site is approximately 292m (as the crow flies) from the nearest edge of London Road District Centre, where there are a range of shops, leisure, employment and services, and local buses and other sustainable transport links. To the south-west on Stubbington Avenue is Good Manners nursery, additionally College Park infant School is located to the east on Crofton Road.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers considered the proposal acceptable because it complied with relevant policies and recommended conditional permission with protected-area mitigation.

“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 Pre-Submission Portsmouth Local Plan (2025-2040),the HMO SPD, and the objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (2024).”

“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:”

Officer report

Objections received

Twenty-three representations, including one from a councillor, objected over HMOs, parking, waste, disturbance, services, safety and loss of family housing.

“Number of HMOs within the block and local area; • Impact on parking; • Concerns over waste disposal; • Anti-social behaviour; • Increase in noise disturbance; • Impact of local services, including sewage and utilities; • Request to lower the threshold from 10% to 5% for HMOs.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Three objecting deputations and the ward councillor addressed the committee.

What members debated

Members were concerned about the first-floor bedroom window, the rear dormer and perceived over-intensification, although they accepted the policy compliance and accommodation standards.

“The property would be three floors with a new floor inserted but set back from the bay window on the first floor. The first floor room would retain its full height at the front and on the ground floor, the ceiling would come down to the top of the window. They acknowledged that a very small portion of ceiling might be visible but considered any change to the front windows to be very minimal and difficult to notice with the existing window arrangement remaining unchanged.”

“Several members expressed that they felt 'uncomfortable' with the design and the perceived over-intensification of the property but accepted that the application complied with planning policy and provided adequate accommodation standards.”

Minutes

The committee decision

The committee resolved to grant conditional planning permission, subject to a legal agreement securing mitigation for protected areas.

“RESOLVED to grant conditional planning permission subject to:”

“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.”

Minutes