Plans for 9 flats in a Portsmouth car park branded 'recipe for disaster'

PLANS for a nine-home development in a city car park have been branded ‘a recipe for disaster’ over fears for the future of a nearby pub
Land at the rear of the Clarence Garden Pub on London Road, Portsmouth could be used as the site for nine new homes. Pictured on 16 July 2020.

Picture: Habibur RahmanLand at the rear of the Clarence Garden Pub on London Road, Portsmouth could be used as the site for nine new homes. Pictured on 16 July 2020.

Picture: Habibur Rahman
Land at the rear of the Clarence Garden Pub on London Road, Portsmouth could be used as the site for nine new homes. Pictured on 16 July 2020. Picture: Habibur Rahman

At a planning meeting next week councillors will decide whether to grant permission for a part three, part four-storey building with nine flats at the rear end of the Clarence Garden pub in London Road, North End.

If approved the site will be fenced off from the back of the pub and will provide 14 car parking spaces and 28 bike spaces, with access through Stubbington Avenue.

Read More
£6.6m development for ‘vulnerable’ adults could be built in Portsmouth
The car park to the rear of Clarence Garden pub in London Road that could be built on Picture: Google MapsThe car park to the rear of Clarence Garden pub in London Road that could be built on Picture: Google Maps
The car park to the rear of Clarence Garden pub in London Road that could be built on Picture: Google Maps
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Two objections to the proposals have been made with fears they could lead to loss of trade for the pub.

Resident of nearby Angerstein Road, Aaron Bloom, said: ‘Although flats will look OK (a bit overcrowded) it will no doubt cause a problem to the Clarence pub owing to inevitable noise complaints.

‘The pub has a garden which will no doubt annoy the residents of these new flats. Especially in the summer.

‘This could cause loss of trade to the pub and consequently end up closing down – we have enough empty shops in north end. Let’s not kill off the pubs and nightlife too.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Steve Smith, who runs the Clarence Garden pub, added: ‘Residential behind a pub equals noise complaints.

‘We don’t like to cause anyone any problems, but this is a recipe for disaster and looking at the previous history of the pub, it has already attracted noise complaints from properties opposite so entertainment and the like has been moved to the rear of the pub, which has proved successful – now this.’

A statement from the applicant, Cordage 7 Ltd, said: ‘The land is not part of the pub. It has not been owned or used by the pub for nearly two years now.

‘Only two people have objected out of a population of 200,000 plus.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘The application will provide much needed housing for people in Portsmouth.’

A decision on the plans will be made at a virtual planning committee on Wednesday, July 22.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.

Related topics: