By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Closing statements in the planning inquiry over a proposed redevelopment of former St Mary’s School playing fields will be submitted in writing.
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18th October 2025
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Closing statements in the planning inquiry over a proposed redevelopment of former St Mary’s School playing fields will be submitted in writing.
The Southampton Toy Appeal is back for its 36th year, aiming to bring festive joy to vulnerable children and struggling families across the city.
Darren Paffey, MP for Southampton Itchen (Lab), has called on the government to consider locating a banking hub in Bitterne.
A sourdough bakers is moving from Eastleigh to St Denys and intends to open at the former St Deny’s Grill (sic) premises on the corner of St Denys and Priory roads in January.
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to build two new family homes in Oaktree Road have been approved by councillors.
The group that owns Southampton and other regional airports is likely to be sold to a German based airport company in a £1.53bn deal.
Volunteers joined senior council ranger Ian Bailey on Thursday (Oct 31) to plant hundreds of bulbs, including wild garlic and bluebell, around Cutbush Hidden Pond, near Meggeson Avenue, which has just had a major programme of work including pond dredging and construction of a new viewing platform.
Southampton City Council has said it’s “delighted to announce the appointment of large housing provider Abri as their preferred bidder to deliver up to 189 much needed affordable homes in Townhill Park”.
Southampton City Council, with Bluestar, Unilink, and First Solent, is bringing back the popular 5 for £5 group fare for the festive season.
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
A major investment project to protect hundreds of Southampton homes and businesses from flooding could be supported by a fund launched by the Labour government.
The council has announced that "unchartered cables" [sic] at the St Denys Road repair site have been deemed safe, and repair work is expected to continue until December 15, although both adjacent lanes will remain closed through November.
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
The inquiry over refused plans for 84 homes on former St Mary’s School playing fields in Bitterne Park is set to begin this week.
• St Mary’s playing field inquiry: key points from day one
• Housing land supply clash at former St Mary’s School land appeal
Council officers have recommended conditional approval of revised plans for new houses on Oaktree Road, which are set to go before the city’s planning panel.
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Residents have warned that plans to build scores of affordable homes on former school playing fields would see the irreversible loss of the area’s last ‘environmental green lung’.
Traffic regulation orders for the council’s ‘Portswood Project,’ which includes a peak-hours bus gate limiting general traffic on Portswood Road from early 2025, are now open for public comment.
Appleton Road and parts of Hillside Avenue are due to be closed on Monday and Tuesday (Oct 4/5) for works on behalf of Southern Water.
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
The timetable has been confirmed for an inquiry to assess and explore the issue of gambling harms in Southampton.
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans that aim to deliver a connected network of green and blue spaces across Southampton have been approved by council leaders.
Work to replace failed traffic signals at Civic Centre Junction is due to start on November 4 and is expected to take seven weeks.
Southampton City Art Gallery has successfully secured a £26,000 National Lottery project grant to digitise a major part of the art collection.
The discovery of new cabling could mean the extension of work on the St Denys railway bridge – the cause of delays and frustration for thousands in recent weeks.
A housing association’s appeal against the city’s rejection of plans for a large housing scheme on former St Mary’s School playing fields is set to begin from November 5.
Southampton City Council is proposing to introduce ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions in parts of various local roads.
A date has already been set for Riverside Park's very own festival in 2025, following what's decsibed at "the best ever" this year.
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Conservation groups have called on city council leaders to allow them to display warning notices about the polluted condition of a Southampton river.
Councillors have reacted to initial plans for a major 500-bed student development to replace the current Portswood Shopping Centre, which have now been made public.
By Natalia Forero, Local Democracy Reporter 
There is still no final decision on the future of Bitterne Police Station eight years after it closed, with cost assessments being carried out to find out whether it should be demolished or refurbished.
A petition has been launched calling for urgent measures to create a safer Bitterne Road West following the latest crash, which also cites a string of other incidents along the same stretch.
Updated Two events showcasing initial proposals to develop Portswood Shopping Centre, reportedly into student housing and retail, will take place this month.
Temporary units at Bitterne Station are reportedly causing parking pressure in the local area. It's understood they belong to Network Rail and will support engineering works until the end of November.
Photo: Vicki Blow