The Planning and Rights of Way Panel in Southampton was scheduled to meet on 2 September 2025 to discuss several planning applications and related matters. The panel, including Councillor Vivienne Windle, Chair of the Planning and Rights of Way Panel, and Councillor Mrs Sue Blatchford, Vice-Chair of the Planning and Rights of Way Panel, were scheduled to consider planning applications for developments at Winn Road, Shaftesbury Avenue, Premier Parade, Burgess Road and The Avenue. The agenda frontsheet indicates that members of the public were able to address the meeting on any report included on the agenda in which they had a relevant interest.

Planning Application - 8 Winn Road

The panel were scheduled to consider a report regarding a planning application for 8 Winn Road for a change of use from a dwelling house to a children's care home. The Director of Transport and Planning recommended conditional approval of the application, which was referred to the panel due to the receipt of five or more letters of objection.

Points raised in objection to the application included concerns about future expansion and alterations to the building, noise and disturbance, increased pressure on local services and the loss of historic walls.

The report noted that the applicant, Southampton City Council, confirmed that the side boundary walls would be retained, and the smaller modern front wall would be replaced by a 1.2m high fence.

The report stated that the proposed change of use was considered acceptable in principle, and that the property could be readily converted back into use as a family dwelling with minimal changes.

Planning Application - 50 Shaftesbury Avenue

The panel were scheduled to consider a report regarding a planning application for 50 Shaftesbury Avenue for a change of use to an 8-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) and roof extension to facilitate loft conversion. The Director of Transport and Planning recommended that the panel delegate approval of the application.

The application was referred to the panel due to a request by a ward councillor and because five or more letters of objection had been received. Objectors raised concerns about the high number of HMOs in the area, the existing HMO use being unauthorised, and the poor living environment.

The report noted that sufficient evidence had been provided to demonstrate that the property has been operating continuously as an HMO for up to 6 people since 2011, so the 10% threshold test for new HMO uses does not apply.

The report stated that the single-storey rear extension already had approval under application ref: 25/00412/PAH.

Planning Application - 3 Premier Parade

The panel were scheduled to consider a report regarding a planning application for 3 Premier Parade for a change of use from a hot food takeaway to a massage parlour. The Director of Transport and Planning recommended that the panel delegate approval of the application.

The application was referred to the panel due to the receipt of five or more letters of objection. Points raised in objection to the application included insufficient parking and the use being inappropriate in a family residential area.

The report noted that the Local Planning Authority is required to determine this application based on what has been applied for in good faith, and that any illegal activity that were to take place would require intervention from police and community safety professionals.

Planning Application - 298 Burgess Road

The panel were scheduled to consider a report regarding a planning application for 298 Burgess Road for the installation of a walk-in chiller for food storage, a metal storage container, an external toilet, and the erection of a steel structure to the front and side of the shop. The Director of Transport and Planning recommended that the panel delegate approval of the application.

The application was referred to the panel due to the receipt of five or more letters of objection. Objectors raised concerns about unauthorised works, noise, and the development being out of character.

The report noted that a valid planning application was ready for determination and once decided, enforcement action may be taken regarding unauthorised structures.

The report stated that a noise assessment had been submitted, which recommends acoustic enclosures to the a/c units to mitigate noise impacts.

Planning Application - 50 The Avenue

The panel were scheduled to consider a report regarding a planning application for 50 The Avenue for the conversion of an existing dwelling to 3 flats. The Director of Transport and Planning recommended that the panel delegate approval of the application.

The application was referred to the panel due to the receipt of five or more letters of objection. Objectors raised concerns about harm to the conservation area and insufficient parking.

The report noted that the application site is located within The Avenue Conservation Area and therefore the council has a legal duty under Section 72(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act) (1990) to pay special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area.

The report stated that the proposal does not require external changes to the building, and it is acknowledged that given the greater intensity of use and limited outdoor space that pressure may be exerted on the front garden space.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The panel were scheduled to approve and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 August 2025.

The minutes of the previous meeting include a discussion of planning application 25/00576/FUL for 264-266 Portswood Road, for the:

Redevelopment of the site and construction of purpose-built student accommodation within a 4-storey block comprising 82 x 1-bed studio flats, with associated communal amenity areas, cycle/refuse storage and landscaping.

The minutes also include a discussion of planning application 25/00409/FUL for 43 Malmesbury Road, for a change of use from a dwelling to a 7-person HMO.

Index of Planning Applications for Decision

The Panel Agenda Order lists the planning applications to be discussed and their corresponding officers and recommendations. It also provides approximate start times for each item.