Former bottling store in Portsmouth to be redeveloped into 17 homes

Proposals submitted by the Portsmouth City Council to transform Brewery House, in Hambrook Street, Southsea, into a £4m development.

This will include 13 two-bedroom flats and four one-bedroom flats were given the go ahead by members of the planning committee on Wednesday.

The scheme includes adding an extra storey and creating bike storage in the building’s basement.

However, concerns were raised over the lack of parking for the site as none will be provided.

Conservative campaigner Alicia Denny made a deputation at the meeting on behalf of nearby residents to the site.

She said: ‘It is unrealistic to expect most people of working age to be without access of a vehicle. There’s little employment within walking or public transport range.’

She added: ‘To fit 17 flats into the site is over-development. The extra storey is unsympathetic.’

Planning committee member, Councillor Terry Norton, agreed. ‘This is yet another Portsmouth City Council application without parking,’ he said.

‘This is further from transport and I don’t think it’s as accessible as the previous application (Arundel Street), therefore, I think there are probably grounds for refusal.’

Cllr Matt Atkins added. ‘I don’t think it’s acceptable for Portsmouth City Council to keep putting forward applications without parking. I do also think the design is not sympathetic enough to the conservation area.’

But Cllr Chris Attwell said: ‘I think it’s important to breathe life into a building like Brewery House.

‘The attention to detail with this plan is good and it’s using good quality material. I desperately want to see fewer cars on the road so I’m not so worried about parking.’

Brewery House was used to store bottles from the Long & Co Brewery across the street, which was destroyed during the Second World War.

Portsmouth council bought the premises in the 1950s and until four years ago it was used by city Scout groups which have since been re-homed.

The development will sit within the KB residents’ parking zone.

Seven councillors voted in favour of the application, two against and one – Cllr Lynne Stagg – abstained.

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