8-bedroom HMO at 20 Wadham Road, Portsmouth

What was proposed

The application proposed changing a dwelling into an eight-bedroom, eight-person house in multiple occupation, with internal remodelling and a rear bike store.

“CHANGE OF USE FROM DWELLINGHOUSE (CLASS C3) TO 8 PERSON/8 BEDROOM HOUSE IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION (SUI GENERIS)”

“25/01488/FUL | Change of use from dwellinghouse (Class C3) to 8 person/8 bedroom house in multiple occupation (sui generis) | 20 Wadham Road Portsmouth PO2 9EE”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a two-storey terraced property near shops, services, buses, the Mountbatten Centre and Alexandra Park.

“The application site is a two-storey terraced property on the north side of Wadham Road. The area is characterised by largely similar terraced two storey properties, with small front forecourts and rear gardens.”

“The site is located in a highly accessible location approximately 140m west from London Road (South) Local Centre, where there are a range of shops, leisure, employment and services, and frequent local buses. The site is also located approximately a 10 minute walk (700m) from the Mountbatten Centre and Alexandra Park.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers considered the proposal acceptable and recommended conditional permission, subject to a legal agreement for Solent protection mitigation.

“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:”

“(a) 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 (below);”

Officer report

Who spoke

The speakers included an objector, the agent, the applicant and two ward councillors.

The committee debate

Members discussed antisocial behaviour evidence, HMO counting, parking accessibility, limited planning powers and the proposed refusal reason.

“Anti-social behaviour (ASB), including fear of ASB can be a material planning consideration, but its weight depends on the evidence available. The Council's HMO policy was introduced because evidence showed harms arising in areas with very high concentrations of HMOs (around 50%) which led to the adoption of a 10% limit within a 50 metre radius. However, there was no evidence showing that HMOs below this threshold automatically cause ASB or harm to surrounding residents.”

“Members' Comments Members noted that local planning authorities have limited powers to control the spread of HMOs and that meaningful change would require national legislation and amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee granted conditional planning permission, with delegated authority for conditions and refusal if the legal agreement was not completed within two months.

“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 two months of the date of this resolution.”

Minutes