Update: The panel has voted to refuse the planning application. Meeting report >>
The controversial planning application to redevelop the former St Mary’s Independent School sports field into 84 dwellings finally makes its way before the city’s planning panel next week (March 12) – with an officer recommendation to grant permission subject to conditions.

 

As originally reported by bitternepark.info, initial plans were revealed by housing association applicant Sovereign Network Group in the summer of 2022, and followed by a public information event.

An application was then lodged with Southampton City Council in September 2022.

There has been a well orchestrated local campaign, including a protest last summer, pictured above, against the plan, which will arrive at the Planning and Rights of Way panel having accrued 187 public comments.

183 of these are objections, with none supporting.

Key concerns include possible pressure on small local roads and the loss of one of the last green spaces on the east of the city, access, the effect on wildlife, the effect on the “character of the neighbourhood”, the scale of the development, the potential impact on drainage, the possible strain on local services, the scheme’s design, and the disruption during any build itself.

Former Conservative Bitterne Park ward councillors Ivan White and David Fuller have both objected to the proposals.

But others commenting on the scheme, particularly on social media, have spoken about the urgent need for housing.

Sport England, which is consulted when playing fields could be developed, has also objected, meaning that if the approval is granted the council would still need to refer it to the secretary of state.

To mitigate against the loss of open spaces and pitches, the application was initially submitted with a “proposed off-site contribution” of £230k towards the council’s Sports Centre project; “following further negotiation, and input from stakeholders, the offer has been amended and now proposed £613k towards Riverside Park,” says the report to the planning panel.

A new cricket pitch and renovation of the existing changing rooms is the proposed condition.

However one person commenting on the application said that the mitigation “does not compensate the community for the permanent loss of the Sports field or undeveloped greenfield. Once the undeveloped greenfield has gone, it cannot be redeemed!”.

Councillors sitting on the panel are recommended to approve the “major” application by the planning officer, who says in their report:

“The development is acceptable taking into account the policies and proposals of the Development Plan as set out below. Other material considerations have been considered and are not judged to have sufficient weight to justify a refusal of the application, and where applicable conditions have been applied in order to satisfy these matters.”

One of the other proposed conditions for approval is to include 29 (35%) “affordable housing units”.

The panel meets on Tuesday, March 12 from 5pm at the Civic Centre. The link to watch the stream is here. ‘(Weighty) virtual’ meeting paperwork is available from this link [Item 5 - link updated 7/3/24]], and the planning application, including comments and 102 plans and documents, is here.