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People power wins the day over former pub development

By 8 December 2016No Comments

Residents in Charles Dickens ward gave a sigh of relief after plans for more homes in multiple occupation proposed for the heart of the city were refused by the planning committee this week.
Cllr Stephen Morgan, Portsmouth Labour Leader has been working with local residents and community groups over concerns about a planning application submitted for the former Cabman’s Rest public house on Plymouth Street in Southsea.
Developers were refused permission last year for the house of multiple occupation but came back again seeking approval for an 11-bed scheme at the pub in an area of the ward with a high number of young families and elderly people.
A public meeting was held at Ladywood House for Cllr Morgan to hear concerns, a petition led by residents with over 60 signatures submitted, and locals encouraged to have their say on the scheme with the support of volunteers from the local Labour Action Team.
The team also made a deputation at the council planning committee objecting to the plans to help ensure it got refused.
Cllr Morgan said:
“We objected to these proposals as we were concerned by the density of the development; the potential increase in traffic and parking in an area where it is already difficult to park and because we were worried about the impact the plans could have on the neighbourhood.
 Thanks to the hard work of residents and our local action team, this planning application has sensibly been refused again.
This is very welcome news in our community and is another example of local people power in action.”