Southsea seafront building extension is denied planning permission by Portsmouth City Council

In a close call on votes members of Portsmouth's planning committee moved to deny proposals for a new three-bedroom apartment on Park House, in Clarence Parade – even though 43 representations sent to the council supported the plan and only one objected.

As reported, father and son duo Jason and Rowan West, who have lived in one of the building's flats for eight years, were hoping to create ‘aesthetically pleasing, sustainable’ home on the rooftop.

But councillors were divided by the size of the apartment and the inclusion of glass balustrades.

Speaking at the virtual meeting, Councillor Luke Stubbs, said: 'This is quite a difficult application because it isn't a symmetrical building.

'Personally I prefer not to err on the side of creating a pastiche. There are currently quite a few glass balustrades along the seafront. I find this to be an acceptable design and therefore I would like to propose it.'

Cllr Terry Norton agreed. 'The seafront is a conglomerate of styles,' he said.

'All of a sudden to say we want uniformity would lead to comments of moving the goal posts.'

However, Cllr Chris Attwell said: 'The conservation guidelines clearly say where a roof extension is permitted it should match the materials used on the existing roof. Glass certainly doesn't.

'Unless I'm missing something we'd be going against guidelines.'

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And Cllr Lee Hunt said: 'It's an important building - it's the start of the seafront. Do we want to protect and enhance the seafront? I think we should.

'Some mistakes have been made along there - too many mistakes frankly.'

A total of 30 representations in support of the application were submitted by members of the public, with a further 13 after its report had been written. Just one objection from a resident was received.

Cllr Judith Smyth added: 'I am not at all bothered by the questions of balance - the other roof extension (on Park House) is quite modern. It is just too big, what's being asked for here.'

Four councillors voted in favour of the scheme, with four against. The committee's chairman Cllr David Fuller then made a casting vote to refuse.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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