Planning appeal decision
39 Norfolk Street, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 4DR
Planning appeal 3368815 at 39 Norfolk Street, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 4DR (Portsmouth City Council) was dismissed on 27 November 2025 by Inspector Plenty B, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposal would contribute to the maintenance of a balanced community.
for a change of use from Dwelling house (C3 use) to House in Multiple Paying Accommodation (C4 use)
- Authority
- Portsmouth City Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Plenty B
- Postcode
- PO5 4DR
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposal would contribute to the maintenance of a balanced community
- Whether the proposal would create acceptable living conditions for future occupiers with particular regard to the provision of internal space
What decided it
The proposal would exceed the 10% HMO concentration threshold established by Policy PCS20, resulting in demonstrable harm to the character of the area and the maintenance of balanced communities.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy PCS20Policy PCS23
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision


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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.
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