Old Waterlooville shop could be turned into eight flats and an HMO as planning application submitted
A building on the edge of Waterlooville’s high street could soon be turned into flats.
For as long as most people could remember, next to the Shell garage in London Road stood Christie’s Intruder Alarms, a shop that sold home security systems, safes and offered lock-fitting services.
But with the company shutting up shop, the building is now earmarked for redevelopment - and plans have been submitted to Havant Borough Council for the site to become housing.
The proposals, filed by Rob Vandenberghe, suggest that the former retail unit could instead become eight flats. A second floor, and recessed third floor, would also be built to form a 12-bed house of multiple occupancy (HMO).
“The design and appearance of the building is considered appropriate to provide a high-quality focal building, and the increased height is not out of keeping with other three-storey developments in the vicinity,” an executive summary of the plans stated.
“No harm would arise to nearby residents from overlooking or loss of light. The proposed HMO element would provide high-quality shared living development intended for young professionals, and the residential element would provide nine units to help meet the borough’s housing need.
“It is acknowledged that the proposed development would result in a high density form of development, with the 12-bed HMO located across the second and third floors of the building. As such, consideration should be given to the overall quality of living accommodation having regard to amenity space and design.”
As for parking, the creation of 15 car parking spaces and space for 32 bicycles has also been proposed as part of the planning application.
It has also been suggested that the exterior of the building would be refurbished to look “more contemporary” with an off-white render and dark grey anthracite cladding.