This week, the Portsmouth Council held two significant meetings: a Full Council meeting on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 and a Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

Full Council Meeting

The Full Council meeting was primarily focused on the pre-submission Portsmouth local plan. This plan outlines the city's development strategy for the next 15 years, including housing targets, environmental considerations, and infrastructure improvements. Here are the key points:

• Public Deputations: Four public deputations were made, all opposing the housing targets in the local plan. Concerns were raised about the environmental impact, including air pollution, loss of natural habitats, and increased flooding risks. Viola Langley emphasized the conflict between the housing targets and the council's climate and nature emergency declarations. Rod Bailey and Paula Savage echoed these concerns, highlighting the potential strain on local infrastructure and the environment.

• Council Debate: The council debated the plan extensively. Councillor Mason defended the housing targets, arguing they are necessary to meet national requirements and prevent urban sprawl into the countryside. He acknowledged the environmental concerns but emphasized the importance of balancing housing needs with environmental protection. The plan was ultimately approved, with a recorded vote showing 31 in favor, 1 against, and 7 abstentions.

Planning Committee Meeting

The Planning Committee reviewed several applications, with a focus on conversions to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). Here are the key outcomes:

• 38 Merry Vale Road: The application for a 7-bedroom HMO was deferred to allow more residents to present their objections. This decision reflects the committee's commitment to ensuring community voices are heard.

• Fraser Range, Fort Cumberland Road: The application for 116 apartments and 18 houses was approved. The development includes new sea defenses and a coastal walkway. Despite concerns about the impact on local wildlife and the historic Fort Cumberland, the committee concluded that the benefits, including flood protection and housing provision, outweighed the potential harms.

• 27 Balfour Road: The application for a 7-bedroom HMO was refused due to concerns about the adequacy of communal space and the overall living environment. This decision aligns with the committee's ongoing scrutiny of HMO applications to ensure they meet living standards.

• Land at Fitzherbert Road: The application for a multi-story car storage facility was approved. The development is expected to improve local traffic conditions by providing on-site parking for car transporters, reducing the need for on-street parking.

• 51 Shadwell Road: The application for a 7-bedroom HMO was approved after the applicant addressed concerns about natural light in one of the bedrooms. This decision highlights the committee's focus on ensuring adequate living conditions in HMOs.

• 39 Kensington Road: The application for a 7-bedroom HMO was approved, despite strong community opposition. The committee emphasized that the application met all planning requirements and that community concerns, while valid, could not override compliance with planning policies.

• 43 Marmion Road: The application for an extraction system for a new café was approved. The committee concluded that the system would not have a significant impact on the conservation area or local residents.

• 121 Balfour Road: The application for a 7-bedroom HMO was approved. The committee noted that the property met all space and living standards, despite concerns about parking and local infrastructure.

These meetings underscore the council's ongoing efforts to balance development needs with community and environmental concerns. The approval of the local plan marks a significant step in shaping Portsmouth's future, while the Planning Committee's decisions reflect a careful consideration of living standards and community impact.

This week, the Portsmouth Council's Planning Committee convened to address a series of applications related to the conversion of properties into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The meeting, held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, was significant due to the ongoing community concerns about the impact of HMOs on local infrastructure and amenities. You can view the full meeting details here.

The committee reviewed multiple applications, with decisions largely influenced by the potential strain on local resources such as parking and sewage systems. Here are the key outcomes:

• 61 St. Chad's Avenue: The application for a 6-bedroom HMO was denied. The committee cited sewage capacity and local infrastructure strain as major concerns. This decision aligns with a previous refusal, currently under appeal, highlighting the committee's consistency in addressing these issues.

• Sandringham Road: Conditional permission was granted, requiring careful management due to significant local issues like parking and anti-social behavior. This decision underscores the committee's effort to balance compliance with local planning policies and community impact.

• 51 Chatsworth Road: The application was initially deferred and then refused due to concerns about inadequate natural light in one of the proposed bedrooms. This decision reflects the committee's commitment to maintaining living standards in HMOs.

• 22 Hewitt Road and 129 Gladys Avenue: Both applications were approved with conditions, indicating compliance with local planning policies but also acknowledging public concerns about the growing number of HMOs.

• Oriole Road: The increase in occupancy from 6 to 7 bedrooms was conditionally approved, with past management issues and impacts on local parking being key discussion points.

• Margate Road: Conditional permission was granted in a unanimous decision, highlighting the property's location in a high-density HMO area already facing parking and social issues.

• Victoria Road North: The application to increase from 6 to 8 bedrooms was conditionally approved, with the committee requiring planning permission due to the property's impact on an already dense HMO area.

The meeting was notably attended by a significant number of community members, indicating strong public interest and concern. The decisions made during this session demonstrate the council's ongoing efforts to manage the balance between urban development and community well-being, a theme we will continue to explore in future updates.