By Maria Zaccaro, Local Democracy Reporter
The Wesley Centre and parish hall near Holy Saviour Church in Bitterne are set to be demolished to make way for 15 new homes.
Planners said the Wesley Centre is currently “in poor repair” and would require “significant investment to allow it to be properly used again”.
All church activities now take place within Holy Saviour Church.
A total of 30 parking spaces will be built at the site as part of the housing development while parking for the vicarage is expected to remain unchanged.
The existing bowling green and pavilion will also be removed.
The proposals were approved by the Planning and Rights of Way Panel at Southampton City Council on Tuesday (June 22).
Some people had said they were in favour of the scheme, saying the plans would modernise the area “resulting in community facilities that are fit for their intended purpose”.
But others raised concerns over overdevelopment of the site and the impact on traffic and trees.
20 trees – eight of which are covered by tree preservation orders – are expected to be axed.
But at the meeting a planning officer said there are 109 trees at the site.
Holy Saviour Church, Bitterne
He added: “We are satisfied that we can mitigate any harm. This application is acceptable in its own right. It will help the church.”
Cllr Les Harris, chair of the panel, said: “It is nice to see some family homes being built.”
According to the proposals, four four-bedroom, six three-bedroom and five two-bedroom homes will be built at the site.
The plans were unanimously approved.
Holy Saviour Church, Bitterne
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