Old Portsmouth listed building roof plans set for refusal
Portsmouth councillors are being asked to refuse plans for changes to the roof of a Grade II listed building in Old Portsmouth.
The applications relate to 60A High Street, on the corner of High Street and Grand Parade, in St Thomas ward.
The building sits in one of the city’s most historic areas. Council papers say it can be seen from several directions, including High Street, Oyster Street, Grand Parade and the sea wall.
Two applications have been submitted. One is for planning permission and the other is for listed building consent.
The proposal includes replacing the existing fourth floor sunroom. It also includes enlarging the roof terrace and adding a 1.15m high glass balustrade around the whole roof.
There would also be internal changes, including a replacement lift, although officers say the internal works do not need planning permission.
The plans have been brought to committee after a request from Councillor Ian Holder due to its location in a Heritage area, the materials and design.
A similar scheme was refused in November 2024. Officers said it was too prominent, too tall, and used too much glass. They also said it would harm the character of the listed building and the conservation area, with no public benefit.
This new version has been changed. Officers say the sunroom would now keep the same footprint, rather than getting larger. The overall height has also been reduced compared to the refused scheme, and there would be less glazing.
However, officers say key problems remain.
They say the glass balustrade would sit close to the edge of the roof and would be highly visible in long views. They also say the proposed “sky grey” fibre-cement cladding for the sunroom is not suitable for a listed building.
The council says the changes would cause “less than substantial” harm to heritage assets, but say no public benefit has been shown to outweigh that harm.
Two public comments have been received. One object, raising privacy and design concerns. One supports the plans, saying the existing sunroom is poor quality and the new scheme is an improvement.
Words can view and learn more about the proposal here, the application will be determined on February 25.