By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Residents have called on council and university leaders in Southampton to preserve a listed former manor house which dates back to the early 18th century.

 

 

 

South Stoneham House, which has sat vacant for more than 15 years, most recently operated as accommodation for University of Southampton students.

The Grade II* listed building is currently boarded up, with the main gate into the Wessex Lane address locked shut.

At the annual court leet ceremony on Tuesday, October 1, two representations were made in relation to the Swaythling site.

Mrs Chorley said the building was of “national importance” and it was on the Save British Heritage at risk buildings register.

Its condition was deteriorating both inside and out, with “clear” water damage visible on the exterior, Mrs Chorley said.

She said: “Repairing and preserving the building is becoming urgent as is finding a new use for it.

“We urge Southampton City Council, owner of the landscaped surrounding area of the original grounds, to work with the university to ensure that South Stoneham House is repaired and preserved and brought back into use.”

Members of the court leet jury heard the building, built in around 1708, was probably designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, who was a pupil of Sir Christopher Wren.

The grounds were landscaped by Lancelot “Capability” Brown in the 1770s.

South Stoneham House, photographed in 2021 just before the demolition of South Stoneham Tower

Graham Lineker, secretary of Southampton Common and Parks Protection Society (SCAPPS), put forward a separate presentment focused on the green space around the building.

He said the ownership of the landscaped grounds was split, with the university owning the house and garden and the city council owning the continuation of the grounds across the Monks Brook, which now operates as Woodmill Outdoor Activity Centre.

In his representation at court leet, Mr Lineker asked for the university to be pressed on proposing a new use for the house which protected its integrity.

He also asked the council to work with the university to enhance the spirit of the Brown landscape and for the area to be considered green open space in planning policy.

The council will consider both court leet presentments made, with an update expected at a subsequent cabinet meeting.

A University of Southampton spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We continue to assess options for the South Stoneham site as part of our wider estates plan to provide our students with the best possible accommodation.

“We carry out monthly inspections of the manor house and understand and appreciate the local interest in this site.

South Stoneham Tower before its demolition

“We will continue to engage with residents and the city council on any future plans.”

South Stoneham House became university halls of residents in the 1920s.

A concrete tower was built as an extension to the former manor house in 1964.

South Stoneham Tower and the listed building were vacated in 2005, with the house boarded up four years later.

The 17-storey tower was eventually demolished in 2022, having been empty for more than a decade.

As previously reported, speaking to the Daily Echo in April 2021 a university spokesperson said: “Our vision is to re-establish the site as part of the Wessex Halls of Residence Campus, whilst maintaining and restoring the Grade II listed Manor House and grounds.”  

Previously
South Stoneham tower demolition looms

The tower being dismantled in February 2022