Plans for 12-bed HMO at former Southsea care home face backlash
A former care home in Southsea could be turned into a 12-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), despite strong local opposition.
Portsmouth City Council planner will determine an application to redevelop Auckland House, 55 St Ronans Road. The vacant building, once used as a care home, is “currently in a state of disrepair”.
The plan, put forward by Applecore PDM on behalf of the owner, will also see “excavation of lightwell to basement at front elevation” and internal changes..
The application drew 35 objections. Residents raised fears over “parking pressures and impact on traffic”, “potential increase in anti-social behaviour and crime”, and “loss of care facilities providing essential services to the elderly and vulnerable individuals”.
Many were concerned about “community balance and cohesion due to HMO concentration”, noting there are already “seven licenced HMOs in this street”.
One resident said: “I have lived on this road for 17 years and it is a quiet neighbourhood with a sense of community.
“Parking is an issue in St Ronan’s Road as it is in all areas of Portsmouth and there is just not the capacity for another 12 cars to park in the road.”
“Where will bins for this number of people be kept? Overflowing bins attract rats or mice.”
The Highways Team said the area was “currently operating at 106 per cent capacity” for parking, which could lead to “residents driving around the area hunting for a parking space”.
However, council officers said only 3 of the 45 nearby homes in a 50m radius are currently HMOs, meaning the proposal is “well below the 10 per cent threshold above which an area is considered to be imbalanced”.
The property will have a kitchen/dining room, living room, laundry room, and a gym. All bedrooms will have en-suite showers. Officers said “the resulting layout is considered to result in a satisfactory standard of living environment”.
The Waste Team confirmed an “appropriate waste storage arrangement” had been agreed. Bike storage for 8 cycles will be provided in the rear garden.
Planning officers concluded the scheme “fully comply[ies] with the relevant policies of the Local Plan” and “permission be granted subject to conditions and mitigation for Solent nutrients and recreational bird disturbance”.