The recommendation is to approve outline proposals to develop two semi-detached houses into a three-storey building comprising nine flats when they go before the council’s planning committee next week.
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The pair of dwellings at 49-51 Belmont Road in Portswood are currently used as housing in multiple occupation (HMOs).
“The scheme seeks outline permission to redevelop the site and construct a detached purpose-built flatted block containing 9 flats,” says the planning officer’s report to the committee [pdf]..
“The building would achieve a similar front building line to the existing whilst adding a further 8.5m at the rear.”
Planning permission has twice been refused for the addition of two houses within the rear garden of the properties.
Six representations had been received at the time of writing the officer’s report – five objections and one neutral.
Concerns raised included about parking, traffic, highway safety, and loss of light, privacy, or outlook for neighbours. Other perceived issues involved the scale, design, environmental sustainability, potential noise impacts, and loss of a period house.
The officer’s responses generally emphasised compliance with local standards, minimal harm, and mitigation measures, such as improvements to highway safety, adherence to design guidelines, or conditions for sustainability and landscaping.
The report concludes that the development is proportionate and acceptable given its context.
The proposal goes before the council’s Planning and Rights of Way Panel on December 10.