Plans for seven new flats in Portsmouth to be considered

An application to convert and extend an existing building on the corner of Kingston Road and Sultan Road in Buckland will be heard during a virtual planning meeting next week.

As part of the plans the ground floor will be retained for commercial use with four flats created in the existing first floor and three flats in a new second floor.

Seven spaces for cars will be included as part of the development, as well as a roof terrace and the potential for solar panels.

In a design statement on behalf of the applicant, architects The Martin Ralph Group said: 'The seven flats will have access to the shared terrace above the first floor. The hope is that this space can be populated with a variety of potted shrubs and plants which will be good for bees and wildlife.

'Orientation of this space is to the west so this will be a pleasant space to use on late afternoons. This will promote biodiversity and bird boxes could be fixed at high level too.

'Water butts should be located on this terrace to promote water harvesting.

'Method of construction is to be decided, but the flats will be energy efficient. We will explore using solar panels in some way on the flat roofs.'

The plans are an altered version of previous proposals for the site which included demolishing the current building for eight flats.

In the statement it said: 'That scheme consisted of two two-storey-high blocks on top of the ground floor podium. The overall bulk of this scheme was felt to be too large for the site and as agreed with the planners, this scheme was withdrawn.

'The scheme now put forward is more modest and we believe even better suited to this location.'

Currently the site contains a beauty shop on the group floor and a children's creche on the first floor. It is thought both these businesses could operate from the ground floor of the new development if approved.

The planning committee meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 3 at 2pm.

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