Portsmouth City Borough Council
Councillors:
42
Wards:
14
Committees:
37
Meetings (2026):
11
Meetings (2025):
117
Meeting
Cabinet Member for Planning Policy & City Development - Portsmouth City
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 29th May 2025
11:00 AM
Thursday, 29th May 2025
11:00 AM
End:
Thursday, 29th May 2025
3:00 PM
Thursday, 29th May 2025
3:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
29 May 2025
29 May 2025
Location:
Council Chamber - The Guildhall, Portsmouth
Council Chamber - The Guildhall, Portsmouth
Meeting Attendees
Opposition spokesperson
Group Leader
Cabinet Member
Cabinet Member for Planning Policy & City Development
Opposition spokesperson
Deputy Group Leader
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence
Minutes
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Judith Smyth.
2
Declarations of interest
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
3
Housing Delivery Test Action Plan
Purpose of report
To present the latest Housing Delivery Test Action Plan for the Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and City Development to agree for publication.
RECOMMENDED
To note the content of the Housing Delivery Test Action Plan and to agree the document for publication on the Council's website.
To present the latest Housing Delivery Test Action Plan for the Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and City Development to agree for publication.
RECOMMENDED
To note the content of the Housing Delivery Test Action Plan and to agree the document for publication on the Council's website.
Attachments:
- Document PPCD report re Housing Delivery Test Action Plan 15 May 2025
- Document Housing Delivery Test Action Plan 2024-2025 Final 15 May 2025
Minutes
Rachel Scott, Principal Planning Policy Officer introduced the report. She added that the most recent results published in December 2024 cover the period from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023. The Housing Delivery Test Action Plan considers reasons housing delivery was low during that period and sets out ways to improve this. There were various reasons for under delivery. The start of the period was affected by COVID-19 and during the final year of the period staffing levels in the Development Management team had an impact on the percentage of planning applications being determined on time. Local Plan allocations have been slow to deliver and the demolition of 277 dwellings at Lemington House and Horatio House were counted in that period, with the completions there yet to take place. Nutrient neutrality also affected planning applications; however, a strategy has now been put in place to deal with this issue. Many of the issues have now been overcome and the new Local Plan will help achieve better results as it will set a lower and more achievable target for Portsmouth. As the current local plan is over five years old, the council is measured against the standard method; once the new Local Plan is in place the council will be measured against the new Local Plan target which will be much more realistic.
Councillor Bosher identified a minor correction required in Table 5 of paragraph 3.4.1, noting that the total number of dwellings commenced should be 503, not 500. Accordingly, paragraph 3.4.2 should also be updated to reflect this amendment. Officers advised that this would be corrected.
Members' questions
· The Russian invasion into the Ukraine in 2022 is not referenced specifically in relation to rising energy costs and materials, however paragraph 3.8.2 states that build costs remain high despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic having largely subsided. Mr Maguire, Assistant Director of Economy, Transport and Planning said that paragraphs 3.8.2 and 3.12.2 could be updated to include reference to the increasing energy costs impacting on manufacture as well as the increase to building costs. The Cabinet Member agreed that this addition would be beneficial for the final document.
· Paragraph 3.1.1 quotes the National Planning Practice Guidance, which outlines considerations for local authorities. It does not imply that the issues mentioned are present in Portsmouth. Specifically, there is no evidence of land banking within the city.
· The Local Plan Addendum is due for public consultation in winter 2025 with formal adoption anticipated in 2027.
· Any newly formed local authority created following Local Government Reorganisation will be responsible for its own housing delivery. Overall, there will still be a housing delivery challenge in south east Hampshire, the land constraint problems will be diluted but viability challenges will remain.
· With regard to table 3 in paragraph 3.2.1 and the high number of lapsed permissions, officers clarified that the figures represent the number of dwellings, meaning a single scheme (e.g., 50 flats) can significantly influence the data. While housing unit delivery may appear robust, it can obscure the number of lapsed consents. Viability remains a key issue, and market conditions do not always support the implementation of approved schemes. During the period in question, Portsmouth City Council issued planning permissions with a one-year time limit, rather than the standard three years, to manage the nitrates bank and ensure sufficient credits were available to achieve neutrality. The Chair requested that a footnote be added to Table 3 to explain this context for future reference.
· There is no official position on why house prices in Portsmouth are significantly lower than other parts of the south east. Factors include high indices of deprivation in the city, abnormal to the south east as a whole and consequently lower household incomes. Visual amenity and quality of space can impact on house prices as well as crime and disorder, none of which are major issues for Portsmouth.
· The Future Homes Standard and the Accessible and Adaptable Standards are relatively new so are not affecting things in this period but will have an effect in the future.
Mr Maguire outlined the agreed amendments to the document as follows:
Paragraph 3.4.1, Table 5: To be revised with correct figures, with corresponding updates to paragraph 3.4.2. Paragraphs 3.8.2 and 3.12.2: To include references to the war in Ukraine, highlighting its impact on rising energy costs and the subsequent effect on manufacturing and construction expenses. Paragraph 3.2.1, Table 3: A footnote will be added to clarify that Portsmouth City Council had, for a period, granted planning permissions with a one-year time limit instead of the standard three-year duration.
DECISION: The Cabinet Member noted the contents of the Housing Delivery Test Action Plan and agreed the document for publication on the Council's website, following minor alterations delegated to officers in consultation with the portfolio holder.
Councillor Bosher identified a minor correction required in Table 5 of paragraph 3.4.1, noting that the total number of dwellings commenced should be 503, not 500. Accordingly, paragraph 3.4.2 should also be updated to reflect this amendment. Officers advised that this would be corrected.
Members' questions
· The Russian invasion into the Ukraine in 2022 is not referenced specifically in relation to rising energy costs and materials, however paragraph 3.8.2 states that build costs remain high despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic having largely subsided. Mr Maguire, Assistant Director of Economy, Transport and Planning said that paragraphs 3.8.2 and 3.12.2 could be updated to include reference to the increasing energy costs impacting on manufacture as well as the increase to building costs. The Cabinet Member agreed that this addition would be beneficial for the final document.
· Paragraph 3.1.1 quotes the National Planning Practice Guidance, which outlines considerations for local authorities. It does not imply that the issues mentioned are present in Portsmouth. Specifically, there is no evidence of land banking within the city.
· The Local Plan Addendum is due for public consultation in winter 2025 with formal adoption anticipated in 2027.
· Any newly formed local authority created following Local Government Reorganisation will be responsible for its own housing delivery. Overall, there will still be a housing delivery challenge in south east Hampshire, the land constraint problems will be diluted but viability challenges will remain.
· With regard to table 3 in paragraph 3.2.1 and the high number of lapsed permissions, officers clarified that the figures represent the number of dwellings, meaning a single scheme (e.g., 50 flats) can significantly influence the data. While housing unit delivery may appear robust, it can obscure the number of lapsed consents. Viability remains a key issue, and market conditions do not always support the implementation of approved schemes. During the period in question, Portsmouth City Council issued planning permissions with a one-year time limit, rather than the standard three years, to manage the nitrates bank and ensure sufficient credits were available to achieve neutrality. The Chair requested that a footnote be added to Table 3 to explain this context for future reference.
· There is no official position on why house prices in Portsmouth are significantly lower than other parts of the south east. Factors include high indices of deprivation in the city, abnormal to the south east as a whole and consequently lower household incomes. Visual amenity and quality of space can impact on house prices as well as crime and disorder, none of which are major issues for Portsmouth.
· The Future Homes Standard and the Accessible and Adaptable Standards are relatively new so are not affecting things in this period but will have an effect in the future.
Mr Maguire outlined the agreed amendments to the document as follows:
Paragraph 3.4.1, Table 5: To be revised with correct figures, with corresponding updates to paragraph 3.4.2. Paragraphs 3.8.2 and 3.12.2: To include references to the war in Ukraine, highlighting its impact on rising energy costs and the subsequent effect on manufacturing and construction expenses. Paragraph 3.2.1, Table 3: A footnote will be added to clarify that Portsmouth City Council had, for a period, granted planning permissions with a one-year time limit instead of the standard three-year duration.
DECISION: The Cabinet Member noted the contents of the Housing Delivery Test Action Plan and agreed the document for publication on the Council's website, following minor alterations delegated to officers in consultation with the portfolio holder.
4
Update on Houses of Multiple Occupancy (information report)
Purpose of Report
The purpose of this report is to provide members with the key background in respect of HMOs in Portsmouth, the relevant planning policy in respect of them and how it has been formed, and to provide an update on decision making in respect of HMO applications for planning permission.
The purpose of this report is to provide members with the key background in respect of HMOs in Portsmouth, the relevant planning policy in respect of them and how it has been formed, and to provide an update on decision making in respect of HMO applications for planning permission.
Attachments:
- Document PPCD HMO report 29.05.25 15 May 2025
- Document Appendix A - Portsmouth HMOs - FINAL Opinon - Rob Walton KC 15 May 2025
Minutes
The report was introduced by Ian Maguire, Assistant Director of Economy, Transport and Planning.
Members' questions:
In response to members' questions, officers clarified:
· With regards to the HMO register, the Private Sector Housing team is reviewing this, and the up-to-date list of every HMO is awaited. A significant number of historical shared houses that many years ago were not classed as HMOs have therefore never come through the planning process and are not on the HMO register. Once the process is complete and properly mapped this will provide a comprehensive register. The register is one method HMOs are checked, along with talking to neighbours, inspecting sites when there has been a claim there is an HMO nearby, council tax records and input from ward members. This ensures that the planning committee are provided with accurate information at the time when the recommendation is made.
· Most of the Council’s Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) are over six years old. While some policy elements were unclear in 2017 and 2019, minor amendments were made as outlined in the report. The interpretation of policy in 2019 remains consistent with current officer guidance, and therefore, an update to the SPD is not deemed necessary.
· The use class C3(b) applies to up to six people living together as a single household and receiving care are not classed as HMOs. The Council has no control over people choosing to change to a C3(b) use class.
· The comparisons provided with a threshold below 10% are those authorities that have sought to have abnormal control of HMOs. Most authorities do no control HMOs and those that do use a similar methodology to Portsmouth.
· The blanket call in was initiated by Cllr Vernon-Jackson so that any application that involves an increase of one person and otherwise has no grounds for development, is considered by the Planning Committee. A notable majority of the Committee feel that these applications require planning permission.
· The Article 4 Direction referenced in the report stipulates that properties in Portsmouth transitioning from C3 to C4 use must obtain planning permission. However, reverting from C4 to C3 is considered permitted development and does not require permission. Many properties have applied for dual-use planning permission, allowing them to alternate between C3 and C4 use for a period of 10 years.
Councillor Simpson emphasised the importance of listening to residents and noted that he frequently receives enquiries about HMO planning applications outside his ward. Mr Maguire added that ward members may act as deputees for residents who feel unable to represent themselves.
The Cabinet Member noted the information report.
Members' questions:
In response to members' questions, officers clarified:
· With regards to the HMO register, the Private Sector Housing team is reviewing this, and the up-to-date list of every HMO is awaited. A significant number of historical shared houses that many years ago were not classed as HMOs have therefore never come through the planning process and are not on the HMO register. Once the process is complete and properly mapped this will provide a comprehensive register. The register is one method HMOs are checked, along with talking to neighbours, inspecting sites when there has been a claim there is an HMO nearby, council tax records and input from ward members. This ensures that the planning committee are provided with accurate information at the time when the recommendation is made.
· Most of the Council’s Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) are over six years old. While some policy elements were unclear in 2017 and 2019, minor amendments were made as outlined in the report. The interpretation of policy in 2019 remains consistent with current officer guidance, and therefore, an update to the SPD is not deemed necessary.
· The use class C3(b) applies to up to six people living together as a single household and receiving care are not classed as HMOs. The Council has no control over people choosing to change to a C3(b) use class.
· The comparisons provided with a threshold below 10% are those authorities that have sought to have abnormal control of HMOs. Most authorities do no control HMOs and those that do use a similar methodology to Portsmouth.
· The blanket call in was initiated by Cllr Vernon-Jackson so that any application that involves an increase of one person and otherwise has no grounds for development, is considered by the Planning Committee. A notable majority of the Committee feel that these applications require planning permission.
· The Article 4 Direction referenced in the report stipulates that properties in Portsmouth transitioning from C3 to C4 use must obtain planning permission. However, reverting from C4 to C3 is considered permitted development and does not require permission. Many properties have applied for dual-use planning permission, allowing them to alternate between C3 and C4 use for a period of 10 years.
Councillor Simpson emphasised the importance of listening to residents and noted that he frequently receives enquiries about HMO planning applications outside his ward. Mr Maguire added that ward members may act as deputees for residents who feel unable to represent themselves.
The Cabinet Member noted the information report.
Previous Meetings
Future Meetings
Join the Discussion
You need to be signed in to comment.
Sign in