Portsmouth council to rule on five HMO applications next week

Plans for five Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are set to be decided by Portsmouth City Council’s planning committee on June 17.

The five applications cover properties across the city and range from converting a family home into a shared house to expanding an existing one beyond the six-person limit.

Houses in Multiple Occupation have been a contentious topic in the Portsmouth council chamber, with critics objecting to the impacts of parking and the loss of family homes.

Proponents argue that HMOs provide an affordable living option for tenants in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis and an overall shortage of housing.

135 Kirby Road, Copnor

The first application seeks to turn 135 Kirby Road into a seven-person shared house. Submitted by Applecore PDM, the plans would create two bedrooms on the ground floor alongside a communal living area, with three more bedrooms on the first floor. All residents would share bathrooms.

The proposal has garnered 61 objections from residents and councillors due to concerns related to parking, infrastructure pressure and the character of the local area.

50 Belgravia Road, Copnor

At 50 Belgravia Road, Conner Mallen Thorns Young – acting for Mr McKenzie of Glebe Park Projects Ltd – wants to knock two existing flats into one property, to be used either as a family home or a shared house for up to six people.

The merged property would have six bedrooms across two floors with shared bathrooms and a communal living area.

Eleven representations have been received in respect of the proposals, all objecting to the scheme.

36 Montgomerie Road, St Thomas

In Southsea, Applecore PDM has applied on behalf of Mr J Oliver to expand 36 Montgomerie Road from a six-person shared house into a seven-person one, and to keep a rear dormer window that has already been built. If approved, every bedroom would have its own ensuite bathroom spread across three floors.

Six representations have been received in respect of the proposals. All object to the scheme due to excessive concentration of HMOs and pressure on parking, services and infrastructure.

39 Winchcombe Road, Paulsgrove

The most ambitious application is for 39 Winchcombe Road in Cosham, where James Porter, acting for Dave Lincoln, wants to demolish a rear extension, build a new one, and add a rear dormer to create an eight-bedroom shared house.

Every room would have an ensuite, and the plans include dedicated bin and bike storage and a dropped kerb.

Representations from eleven addresses have been received. All object to the scheme over parking, drainage and overdevelopment concerns.

16 Tottenham Road, Charles Dickens

Finally, Applecore PDM has applied on behalf of Rowelane Homes Ltd to increase the number of residents at 16 Tottenham Road, near the city centre, from six to seven – the point at which planning permission is needed.

The application states that “the change in occupancy will involve the repurposing of internal rooms but no external operational development forms part of this application.”

Seven objections have been received to the application.

Portsmouth’s planning committee meets on June 17 to decide all five applications.