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PLANS to build homes on the site of a former care home in Southsea have been rejected by Portsmouth City Council's planning committee.

Despite a recommendation that the Yeoman Property Developments scheme for the St Michael’s Lodge site be approved, councillors ruled the 18 homes would lead to a loss of light and privacy for existing homes in Gold Street.

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‘Everyone accepts that some development will happen and needs to happen here but there are too many issues: there's a probably loss of light to the flats, the loss of parking, the access from Diamond Street and the issues it's going to have with the nursery,’ Councillor Ian Holder said at Wednesday’s meeting.

Flats that had been planned for Gold Street in Southsea - but the plans were turned down by councillors

‘There are too many issues with this planning application for it to go forward at this moment.’

Under the proposal submitted at the end of 2020, the developer would have built 12 three- and four-bed homes and six one- and two-bed flats on the site. All of the flats would have been affordable.

But dozens of objections were submitted to the application, raising concerns the area was already too 'cramped'.

The owners of St Jude's Church Nursery also urged the council to consider the impact would have on its emergency access points.

A report by planning officers said the development would be a 'positive addition to the area'.

‘It… would not unduly impact upon the amenities of neighbouring properties and would afford future occupants with a good standard of living,’ it said. ‘It would represent an efficient use of a brownfield site in providing for both market and affordable houses.

‘The development would yield new housing for the city, including affordable units, and it is located at a very sustainable location.’

The council has previously granted planning permission for a four-storey, 90-bed care home on the site but the scheme has not been progressed although that permission is still in place.

Council officers said that this would have a bigger impact on people living nearby and could make the decision to refuse planning permission difficult to defend should it be appealed.

St Michael’s Lodge was demolished in 2002.

Bid to build homes on former Portsmouth care home site is turned down