Agenda

Purpose.

A non-determination appeal has been received in relation to a planning application for the change of use from Class C4 (house in multiple occupation) to Sui Generis (house in multiple occupation) for seven unrelated persons (ref 17/01413/FUL).  It is necessary for Portsmouth City Council to be able to advise the Planning Inspector as to how the application would have been determined if the Local Planning Authority had issued the decision. 

The purpose of this report is to establish the Planning Committee's position in relation to the recommendation of the application, so that a record can be provided as part of the planning appeal.

                  A copy of the officer's full assessment report is appended to this main agenda item recommending refusal for the following reasons:

1)     The proposed use of the building as sui generis House in Multiple Occupation for 7 or more persons sharing would, as a result of the cramped and restricted size of the communal amenity space (living room and kitchen areas, without separate dining room provision) and bedrooms at roof level, fail to provide the necessary space for an adequate standard of living accommodation for future occupiers and would represent an over-intensive use of the site. The proposal is therefore contrary to Core Planning Principles of the National Planning Policy Framework and Policies PCS20 and PCS23 of the Portsmouth Plan, including the supporting Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document (Nov 2017).

2)     Without appropriate mitigation the development would be likely to have a significant effect on the Portsmouth Harbour and Chichester and Langstone Harbours Special Protection Areas and so is contrary to Policy PCS13 of the Portsmouth Plan and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (as amended).

PLANNING APPLICATIONS.