Six-person HMO at 89 Kingsley Road, Southampton

The site and its surroundings

The property is a two-storey semi-detached home in a residential street, with a rear garden, no off-street parking and nearby unrestricted street parking.

“The site comprises a two-storey, semi-detached property located within a residential street that contains a mix of semi-detached and terraced housing. The established use of the building is as a 4 bedroom/4 person C4 House in Multiple Occupation. The property has a rear garden and a small front curtilage, with no off-street car parking. There is unrestricted on-street car parking within Kingsley Road. The site is approximately 400 metres from Shirley Town Centre.”

Officer report

The officers’ assessment

Officers recommended approval because the proposal met accommodation standards, made efficient use of an accessible site and was unlikely to cause significant harm.

“Policy CS16 of the Core Strategy sets out that “these types of accommodation are important as a source of housing for people with low incomes, those on benefit payments and those starting off in the economy as young professionals.” By delivering further capacity for shared accommodation, the proposal would contribute to meeting a need for this type of housing.”

“The proposal would result in 2 additional occupiers which is considered to make good use of the site to provide further shared accommodation within a highly accessible location. The additional bedroom created is formed by converting one of the existing communal living spaces.”

Officer report

Concerns and consultee views

Residents questioned space, noise, parking and refuse storage; Environmental Health and the HMO Licensing Team raised no objection, subject to the stated considerations.

“Increase in parking demand leading to inconvenience to residents Response Both the Council’s policies and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) encourage developments to rely less on the private car for travel. The proposal would meet this aim. The site is within the high-accessibility bus corridor and, as such, the provision of no car parking is in accordance with the Council’s maximum car parking standards.”

“Insufficient refuse storage Response The Council’s adopted Residential Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document sets out that, for households containing 6 or more residents, 2x 360 litre wheelie bins are required for refuse and recycling purposes. Details of a store has been provided, which can accommodate this along with storage for garden waste and glass.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent and a ward councillor addressed the Panel with the Chair’s consent.

The vote

The recommendation was carried, with three councillors voting for and two abstaining; another councillor had withdrawn from the item.

“The Panel then considered the recommendation that the application be conditionally approved subject to criteria listed in the report (as amended). Upon being put to the vote the recommendation was carried.”

“NOTE: Councillor Cox had withdrawn from the meeting for this item.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was approved subject to the report’s conditions and amended requirements for communal space, cycle storage and refuse storage.

“RESOLVED that planning permission be approved subject to the conditions set out within the report and any additional or amended conditions set out below…”

“Cycle storage facilities (Performance) - AMENDED Within 2 months of the date of this consent, secure and covered storage for 6 bicycles shall be provided on site in accordance with the plans hereby approved. The storage shall be thereafter retained as approved and made available for all occupants to use. REASON: To encourage cycling as an alternative form of transport…”

Minutes