Winchester City Council submits plan for 59 Colebrook Street

In November, Winchester City Council triggered £610,000 for the refurbishment of 59 Colebrook Street. 

The city council has now submitted a planning application to convert the building into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and add bike storage. 

The applicant is named as Mitchell Cowan, corporate building surveyor at Winchester City Council. 

It will have six private rooms as well as shared space. 

By Sunday, February 4, no public comments in support or objection had been submitted. However, Phil Tidridge from the city council's environmental protection team, had concerns about potential noise pollution. He said: “This premises is in close proximity to commercial uses, including a pub with late night opening hours with an outside area to the rear. I am concerned the potential noise impacts upon the proposed residential users has not assessed and no mitigation identified in accordance with NPPF paragraph 191 and 193 (agent of change) as well as both our existing and emerging local planning policies.

READ MORE: Winchester City Council £600k plan to refurbish refugee home

“I therefore recommend you seek a full noise assessment/report before deciding on this application.”

In the application's planning statement, it said: “There is a growing demand for smaller accommodation in the district due to a number of factors and these six bedroom units with their associated communal spaces and ancillary facilities will provide much needed temporary accommodation in this city centre location close to services and good transport facilities. 

“It is proposed to convert the building back into residential use to form an HMO with shared spaces and facilities, this will be done without the need to alter the building externally. The building will be renovated, strengthened, improved and repaired as required. A leaking chimney will be removed as part of the works. 

“Internally six generous private rooms will be provided arranged around the current positions of the fenestration and circulation spaces. The shared facilities and ancillary areas have been arranged around the primary rooms and again to leave the existing building fabric as undisturbed as possible. 

“The gross internal areas of private rooms and shared spaces have been carefully designed to comply with and exceed the HMO requirements. 

“The rear courtyard will be restored and tied up to provide private external amenity space for the residence.

“No car parking is to be provided as part of this proposal.

“The rear court yard will also provide space for a sheltered secure bicycle parking facility with one space per room and two spaces for visitors, eight spaces in total.”

For more details about the planning application, search 23/02895/FUL on Winchester City Council's online planning portal.