Portsmouth home will become HMO - despite objection from MP
A controversial HMO application which saw over 70 objections – including one from an MP – has been granted permission.
Plans to change the use of 1 Domum Road in Portsmouth into a seven-person House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) were granted planning permission by Portsmouth City Council.
The house in Copnor has no other HMOs within a 50m radius.
Speaking at the meeting, neighbouring resident Scott Bishop said the plan “represents a very intensive use of a modest semi-detached house on a constrained family street”.
He criticised the committee report for suggesting the change would “not be significantly different” to a family living in the property.
He said “respectfully” that does not reflect the reality of HMOs, with tenants having different work schedules, more visitors, deliveries, cooking, bathroom use and general movement throughout the property.
The applicant Tony Knowles said he has employed a responsible architecture firm so that the design complies with all regulations.
He said he hears stories of other HMO tenants, namely nurses, who are scared to go home as “other tenants in there are not making them feel safe”.
He said he wants to provide a property where tenants “want to go home”, adding that many NHS and BAE Systems staff cannot afford to rent alone or buy and are in need of an affordable place to live.
“They are decent people,” he added. “The problem with HMOs are the rogue landlords that have a building and just fill it with people without caring who’s there – this isn’t one of those HMOs.”
The application received 74 objections from the public, councillors and Amanda Martin MP for Portsmouth North.
She objected to the plans on the basis of parking concerns, loss of family homes, and room size and layout.
Officers, in response to a question asked by Cllr Chris Atwell, said that the volume of objections “isn’t material, it’s what those objections say that matters”.
Cllr George Madgwick echoed one of the MPs concerns, arguing that one of the bedrooms had inadequate head space as one end of the room is 1.5m due to a sloping ceiling.
“To me that wouldn’t be defined as a usable space,” he said.
Cllr Madgwick motioned to refuse based on inadequate living space and the intensification of parking and demand on local services, but his motion was not carried.
Cllr Judith Smythe motioned to approve, stating the plans met all the requirements, and said that the lower part of the bedroom can be used for storage.
It was granted permission with four votes in favour, three against and one abstention.