Portsmouth residents object to another shared home expansion in their road

Portsmouth councillors are set to debate proposals to convert a two-storey terraced house in Wadham Road from a six-bed house in multiple occupancy (HMO) to a seven-bed, or a sui generis, HMO.

Previous proposals for the property, number 69, came under fire two years ago when 86 residents signed a petition against it becoming a five-bed HMO.

The latest application garnered four objections. All of them were concerned that the home had already been extended.

Writing to the council, Wadham Road resident Stephanie Callaway said: 'This house obviously was building more rooms than on the plans and we told you this on many occasions.

'Yet the rooms have been built alongside the build that was given permission and no one checks.’

Her neighbour Richard Bird added: 'What is the point of the planning application process if developers can do as they like?

'The disruption being caused by this conversion is horrendous. The contractors frequently block valued car parking spaces with their equipment and materials. Parking is but one of several issues but a key one.’

However, the applicant Jay Durai explained that all work on the house was done with the permission of the council. He said: 'The work we completed last year was a refurbishment of the house and this was all done under permitted development. To add another bedroom we would just be furnishing a communal room.

'Our goal is to create good quality homes that people can afford to live in and the people who live in them are of a high calibre. They're not the sort of people who make lots of noise.

'In many cases I would say a family makes more noise than a group of professional individuals.'

Under Portsmouth City Council rules there cannot be more than 10 per cent HMOs in a 50 metre radius. In the 50 metres surrounding 69 Wadham Road 6.8 per cent of homes are HMOs.

Councillors will decide on plans at a meeting on Wednesday, February 19.