Planning Permission Given For New Student Halls in Fawcett Road

Planning permission was granted at the February meeting of the Portsmouth Planning Committee for a 41 room student hall of residence Fawcett Road.  Full details of the meeting and discussions on the topic follow:

14/01649/FUL - Church Hall 151 Fawcett Road & 3 Heyward Road Southsea - Construction of part 3/4 Storey building to form student halls of residence with 41 study/bedrooms; doctor surgery & pharmacy shop on ground floor & part basement (AI 7)7

The City Development Manager reported in the supplementary matters list that Hampshire Constabulary's Crime Prevention Design Advisor has offered comments and made recommendations regarding the incorporation of crime prevention measures into the proposal.
Comments have been received from the Highway Engineer noting that this scheme is very similar to that proposed in the most recent application whose planning merits were considered generally acceptable by the Inspector who determined the last appeal in April 2014. Having regard to the foregoing it is considered that, subject to limiting the development to occupation as halls of residence, a car free development is acceptable on this site with cycle parking being provided in accordance with the adopted Car Parking SPD. No objection subject to provision and maintenance of cycle storage facilities.

Comments have been received from Southern Water which requests the imposition of a condition and informatives.
Three further objections have been received from local residents on similar grounds to those set out in the agenda and also relating to potential future uses of the proposed halls of residence.

Condition 6 as set out in the agenda includes a typographical error and should refer to Level 5 (not 4) of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Officers advised that the recommendation was amended to include additional condition 17 - Development shall not commence until details of the proposed means of foul and surface water sewerage disposal have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Condition 6 to be amended to require the residential element of the development to meet Level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

A deputation was heard from Mr Kennedy, objecting to the application whose points included:

• Traffic issues in the area - Fawcett Road is a bus route with bus stops opposite each other meaning traffic cannot pass easily. In addition blue badge holders park outside of the surgery it makes traffic difficult to pass.
• 40 students is too many for this area - many pubs, takeaways etc nearby and potential for trouble if too much to drink and older residents are already worried about going out at night.

A deputation was heard from Mr Bloomfield, the agent whose points included:

• previous appeal decision unsuccessful for 1 reason which was because the former owner of the doctors' surgery was unwilling to sign the S106 agreement.
• New owners are fully supportive of the proposals and welcome the mixed use development.
• 51 spaces for cycles which is considered adequate to comply for parking standards

A deputation was heard from Dr Laly on behalf of the applicant whose points included:

• Development would benefit whole community
• Current doctors facilities not meeting CQC standards
• Positive dialogue between Portsdown Group
• If development doesn't go ahead it could mean doctors practice might cease.

A deputation was heard from Councillor Lee Hunt, ward councillor, whose points included:

• Residents thoroughly object
• Proposed building is out of character of surrounding area
• Would welcome a walk-in centre that would benefit whole community
• Lack of green space in the ward and a large increase in homes over the last few years

Members' questions

In response to a question about disabled facilities, the applicant advised there was a lift up to the upper floors and the bedrooms would be large enough to accommodate wheelchair users. In response to a question regarding ensuring that the proposed rooms would be filled, officers advised that the university is looking to increase its competiveness and therefore needs to provide quality student accommodation and also is looking to have a range of different types of accommodation for foreign students who may wish to bring their families with them. The university also has a mass under provision of university accommodation for first year students. In response to a question the applicant confirmed the management structure would ensure that residents would be provided with contact details to report any issues with disruptions in the halls of residence during out of hours.

Members' comments

Members had some concerns about the effect of the application on existing residents but felt that additional homes for students would free up other houses in the cities for families.

RESOLVED

1. That delegated authority be granted to the City Development Manager to grant Conditional Permission subject to first securing a planning obligation by deed in accordance with Section 106 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure:
   • the restriction of the occupation of the residential accommodation to students of a recognised educational establishment;
   • a financial contribution of £705.20 to mitigate the impact of the proposed residential development on the Solent Special Protection Areas;
   • the preparation and implementation of an Employment and Skills plan to cover the construction of the proposal; and
   • the payment of a Project Management Fee of £620.00. 9 
2. That delegated authority be granted to the City Development Manager to refuse planning permission if the legal agreement has not been completed within eight weeks of the date of the resolution pursuant to Recommendation1.