Plans for nine new flats behind a Portsmouth pub approved
A NEW block of nine flats will be built behind a city pub despite concerns over noise and smells.
During a virtual planning meeting Portsmouth councillors granted permission for a part three, part four storey building at the rear end of the Clarence Gardens pub in London Road, North End.
As part of the designs put forward by Cordage 7 Ltd, the site will provide 14 car parking spaces and 28 bike spaces, with access through Stubbington Avenue.
Steve Smith, who runs the pub, had concerns about how the homes could affect his business. In his deputation read out during the meeting he said: 'Clarence Gardens is locally listed and should be helped by all to preserve it as a pub.
'We have applied for later licence for 2am in line with other pubs and bars in the road. We hope this will kick start business since Covid.
'Daytime trade is not enough. Residents will want their windows open and would not want to have noise.'
Planning committee member Councillor Claire Udy shared his concerns. 'You're telling me early in the morning people are going to put up with the noise of the dragging of the bottle bins and the emptying of the bins into the dust cart.
'The residents are going to complain.'
Cllr Lee Hunt agreed. He said: 'I am particularly concerned about the smells and the noise going to be created. Cllr Udy was quite right to remind us about the bottle bins.
'I think it's going to prompt complaints. If we were to grant permission we are going to create a headache for environmental health and the council. The people living there will be miserable from the noise and the smells of the cooking from the pub which goes on all day.'
Cllr Hunt also questioned the provision of 14 car parking spaces saying residents should be encouraged not to own cars.
However, Cllr Terry Norton believed these were not reasons to turn the application down. He said: 'Most blocks of flats have bins outside that will create noise.
'I don't think we can penalise an application for having too many parking spaces.'
Seven councillors voted for the proposals, with one against and one abstention.