By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to bulldoze a vacant pub and former furnishing business premises at 264-266 Portwood Road and build a block of more than 80 student flats are set to be approved.
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Kappa Maritime & Estates Ltd wants to transform the brownfield land on the site of the former Waggoners Arms pub, which dates back to the 19th century, and the Burts Furnishing unit on the corner with Osborne Road North.
The application will go before Southampton City Council’s planning and rights of way panel on Tuesday, August 12, due to the number of resident objections and a referral request by ward councillor John Savage.
Opposition largely relates to the height of the proposed four-storey building, the loss of light to neighbouring properties and the absence of on-site parking in the scheme.
The purpose-built university student accommodation scheme, which has been recommended for approval by officers, would provide 82 one-bed studio flats, with internal communal space and a private garden area.
The Waggoners Arms pub closed in 2018, while the former retail building has been vacant since 2011.
Portswood ward member Cllr Marie Finn said the prospect of redeveloping the site was positive, however, the height of the scheme was “causing too much of a problem”.
“The residents who live behind the site on Osborne Road North are very concerned about their loss of light and the effect that this will have on their health and wellbeing,” Cllr Finn said.
“In particular, the bungalow behind the new block will really suffer and be in the dark.”
She added: “If the new block was reduced slightly in size to be the same height as the block of flats facing it, that would be much better, it would fit into the area well and I would not object.”
A report to the panel by planning officers said there would be some properties that would experience a loss of outlook and daylight.
However, it was felt these adverse impacts of the scheme would not “significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits”, the report said.
A planning statement prepared on behalf of the applicant by Rok Planning said the scheme involved the regeneration of a “long-derelict brownfield site”, adding that the project would deliver “much-needed purpose-built student accommodation to meet a clear and growing need”.
The council’s Planning and Rights of Way Panel is due to consider the proposals on Tuesday (Aug 12) from pm. The agenda, with link to the officer’s report, is here, and the planning application with comments is here.
Previously
Student flat plan lodged for Waggoners Arms site
Plans to demolish former Portswood road pub
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