By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans for scores of student flats on a derelict pub site have been approved despite concerns the block will “tower over” neighbouring homes.

 

Kappa Maritime & Estates Ltd saw its proposal for 82 one-bed studios on brownfield land at 264-266 Portswood Road granted by members of Southampton City Council’s planning and rights of way panel.

The scheme will see a four-storey building, with a protruding lift shaft on the roof, replace the former Waggoners Arms pub and Burts Furnishing unit at the corner with Osborne Road North.

Objectors speaking at the panel meeting on Tuesday, August 12, questioned the lack of parking in the development and the size of the building.

Jayne Coxall, who lives in Osborne Road North, said a lot of objections related to concerns about on-street parking.

She questioned the planning officer’s report, which said there would not be a significant impact.

James Verniquet, who lives in a bungalow next to the site, said he was “very concerned” about having 82 student flats “right next door to me”.

“It is going to tower over everything in the area apart from the Vita (student accommodation), which I can already see from my rear bedroom,” Mr Verniquet said.

Matthew Roe, director at ROK Planning representing the applicant, said the “substantial benefits” of the proposal outweighed “any limited harm”.

“In our opinion, the building’s scale and massing with its perimeter block wrapping round the corner of Osborne Road North onto to Portswood Road is of an appropriate height and set back from the pavement,” Mr Roe said.

The panel heard a student needs assessment submitted by the applicant showed an unmet need of over 14,000 student bed spaces in Southampton.

Mr Roe said he believed this was “one of the greatest gaps in the country”.

Portswood ward councillors Marie Finn and John Savage were opposed to the application.

“I’m not sure we need more student housing to the extent that it should override the right of residents who are going to be affected by the light loss by having such a big block,” Cllr Finn said.

Cllr Savage said: “The issue to do with the height is a massive problem, particularly with overshadowing problems for a number of flats and the bungalow next door.”

He said the developer had been a “problem”, claiming they had broken promises made during discussions with councillors.

Panel members were split on the application.

Cllr Rob Harwood said it seemed like a “speculative” development, raising questions over the demand for student housing.

He said: “I think the building is too big as well and I don’t think we should be inconveniencing any of our residents at the expense of student accommodation.”

The derelict site needed redeveloping, Cllr Sue Blatchford said.

“If we had a two-storey building on there, I think it would be a waste of space for the development itself,” Cllr Blatchford said.

“I don’t feel that the bungalow to the south will be affected, especially with regards to shadowing.

“Yes, it will be different because there will be a taller building but I don’t think that effect will be harmful.”

Chair Cllr Vivienne Windle said information presented to the panel showed the loss of light was not as big of an issue as first thought.

She said the accommodation would be “very expensive”, which would likely lead to it being occupied by international students.

“Domestic students will probably still continue to live in HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) and we will be seeing overseas students who are unlikely to bring a car with them on the plane,” Cllr Windle said.

The application was approved by a margin of five votes in favour and two against.

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