Nearly 100 objections to five-storey co-living plans in Milton
Portsmouth councillors will discuss plans for the five-storey co-living block on October 21
Plans for a five-storey co-living development in Portsmouth have been recommended for refusal after attracting almost 100 objections.
The proposals would see the existing single-storey building at 241-243 Milton Road demolished to make way for a development containing 20 bedrooms.
The scheme would include shared kitchens and dining areas, communal indoor and outdoor amenity space, a laundry room, cycle storage and facilities for refuse and recycling.
The building would be arranged across five floors, with a reception area and two bedrooms on the ground floor, alongside five bedrooms on each of the first three upper floors and three on the fourth floor.
No off-street parking would be provided in the scheme, submitted by Midas Plan Consultants on behalf of Fawaad Shaikh, with the development intended to operate as a “car free” scheme.
Planning documents record 97 objections, including two duplicate submissions and six from the same addresses.
Concerns raised include a lack of parking, increased traffic and congestion, potential impacts on emergency vehicles, pedestrian safety and the proposed building’s height.
The Milton Neighbourhood Forum has also formally objected, arguing the plans failed to demonstrate compliance with biodiversity and cycle parking policies.
It also raised concerns about the development’s scale and massing, saying the building appeared large for its surroundings.
The forum said it is “keen to see this site brought back into productive use, and we appreciate the applicant’s willingness to engage with us during the pre application stage.”
It added: “We believe that a high quality, policy compliant scheme is achievable here.”
A resident added: “It’s very clear Milton has no room for such development especially when it’s not to benefit the community. Congestion and parking is at a peak and we clearly need somewhere to park.”
The application has been recommended for refusal on several grounds, including concerns over co-living principles, the impact of a second-floor terrace on future residents and neighbours, a lack of mitigation for harm to the Special Protection Area, and missing Section 106 contributions.
Portsmouth City Council’s planning committee will discuss the plans on October 21.