Plans to convert a former Southampton care home into a shared house for 10 people have been approved.

Councillors supported the recommendation of planning officers despite objections from 22 residents and ward members.

Applicant Mr Veizaj sought permission to change the use of the property at 348 Winchester Road, Bassett, which previously operated as Abbey Retirement Home.

Cllr Vivienne WindleThe proposal went before members of Southampton City Council’s planning and rights of way panel at a meeting on September 17.

A neighbouring resident, who objected to the scheme, said creating more housing was a “laudable aim” but putting 10 people into an “insufficient living space” with five parking bays was “laughable”.

In relation to parking concerns, the neighbour said: “There are simply no parking spaces in these roads after 5pm.

“Any additional vehicles will only worsen what is already a crisis in the area.”

Bassett ward councillor Richard Blackman said he had a number of concerns relating to the conditions within the building.

“One is the living space for residents which does appear to be insufficient in terms of the communal living space,” Cllr Blackman said.

“I think there is a requirement that only 10 people will be living there. It’s very difficult to police the number of people who will actually be living there, so it could have more than 10 residents.

“Also there is the issue of the ground floor kitchen window and the vents and the proximity to the neighbouring property and the potential for damage to the neighbouring property.”

The planning case officer said conditions would be put in place for bike storage to be provided, while on-site car parking was at the maximum allowed for the area.

In relation to room sizes, the bedrooms all met minimum requirements while the combined communal space of the living room and two kitchens was in line with policy.

Any issues relating to damage caused to properties by extractor fan systems would be a civil matter, the officer said.

A condition was also in place to restrict the number of people living at the property. The panel heard the council’s enforcement team would investigate alleged breaches of this restriction that are reported to them.

The applicant’s agent, Marc James of MARChitecture Design, said he had worked with Mr Veizaj for around six years.

Mr James said: “He does provide good quality HMO rooms for people who are less fortunate who can’t afford to rent a full house with parking.”

“A lot of people who move into HMO buildings won’t have cars.”

Panel member Cllr Sue Blatchford said: “It is disappointing that we have lost a care home but that is not before us.

“It is the conversion of and change of use from a residential care home to this 10-person house of multiple occupation.

“I feel that from the applied conditions that they actually will protect the local community. If the local community become aware of 40 people in the property then we have a team that will actually investigate.”

Chairman Cllr Vivienne Windle said the proposal met all the requirements for an HMO.

“It is one of the largest I have come across but then on the other hand it seems to be adapting the care home layout in a way that those small rooms that single people would have lived in when it was a care home, more than adequate bathrooms,” Cllr Windle said.

“ I don’t see why it would generate more traffic considering when it was a care home not only would there have been deliveries and maintenance, but also the staff and presumably like most care homes each person would have relatives who would have been coming and going to visit them.”