Fate of two new HMOs in Portsmouth facing 139 objections to be decided

The city’s planning committee is set to consider proposals to convert two former shops in Twyford Avenue, in Stamshaw, into houses of multiple occupancy.

Under the plans the shops on the ground floor and the first floor flats at numbers 251 and 253 would be transformed into two six-bed properties.

A petition signed by 139 people has been submitted to Portsmouth City Council, urging its planning team to refuse the scheme amid concerns over parking and impact on the surrounding area.

Twyford Avenue resident Daisy Cobb, who set up the petition, said there are too many HMOs already in the area.

She said: ‘This area in particular is densely populated with HMOs and flats, there is insufficient parking for the residents that already live in the area and most days I do not want to leave my home and go out in my car, it causes me a great amount of stress and anxiety, worrying if I will be able to find anywhere to park my car near my home on my return, especially with the shorter days coming.

‘A further six to 10 cars from the occupiers of these rooms will have further consequences for residents in this area.'

According to the council’s online HMO database there are three shared homes in Twyford Avenue, and two around the corner in Gruneisen Road.

In an objection Strode Road resident Emma Walton added: ‘(There is) already a severe lack of parking in this area, with multiple HMOs and flats without parking, and surrounding roads requiring permits for extra vehicles all spilling into Strode Road.

‘(There is already) an issue with parking caused just by residents of Strode Road having multiple vehicles.

‘This will likely compound the issue.’

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A decision on the scheme was set to be made in December but was deferred over concerns that residents were not given enough warning to make deputations.

The meeting to consider the HMOs is set to take place virtually on Tuesday, January 26.

Andy Tindall, the applicant, declined to comment.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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