By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Huge plans for a 515-bed student flat development in the heart of Portswood have been recommended for approval at a council planning meeting on November 4 despite widespread opposition.
Picture: Corstorphine & Wright/Fusion Group/Tri7/SCC planning portal

 

Two developers have brought forward the scheme to demolish the Portswood Centre and replace it with five and six-storey housing blocks.

The proposal comes from a joint venture between Fusion Group, a student accommodation operator, and Tri7, a real estate investment and asset management firm.

Planning officers have recommended approval, stating the development potentially reduces demand for additional student accommodation in less suitable areas of the city and assists in reducing house in multiple occupation (HMO) demand.

The two blocks would provide a mix of 325 studios, 27 one-bed flats, 83 social studios within 17 cluster units and 80 cluster bedrooms within 17 cluster units.

CGI of the proposed student housing development on the Portswood Centre site. Picture: Corstorphine & Wright/Fusion Group/Tri7/SCC planning portal

No car parking spaces would be provided, with 260 long stay and 18 short stay bike spaces.

Students would have access to internal and external amenity spaces.

The existing 2,630 square metres of retail floorspace across the Portswood Centre would be replaced by 563 square metres of flexible commercial floorspace on the front of each block.

The application attracted dozens of resident objections, as well as opposition from Highfield Residents’ Association, Outer Avenue Residents’ Association, City of Southampton Society and all three Portswood ward councillors.

Cllr John Savage said he was concerned about the overall shortfall of retail space in the scheme. He said:: “This is a key retail area and the site with a full retail ground floor offer with sufficient depth through the site is necessary to maintain the district centre as a thriving retail area.

“Student amenity at the ground floor substantially harms the retail district and could prevent the wider activation of Portswood.”

Labour colleague Cllr Marie Finn said she was concerned the student demand may not exist with three other blocks potentially being built in the Portswood ward.

Green Party councillor Katherine Barbour said the scheme was overbearing and out of character with the area.

 “There is a desperate need for housing for families and local people, not for more student flats,” she said.

Portswood Shopping Centre in 2024

The planning officer’s report said the development was compliant with district centre policy by re-providing active ground floor commercial frontage as part of a residential-led mixed use scheme.

It added: “The buildings are of high design quality with no harm to designated heritage assets.

“The public realm and new commercial units will support the vitality of the district centre.

“The development would make efficient use of this previously developed site to provide residential accommodation.”

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application said the scheme would revitalise a “neglected” part of Portswood.

The statement said: “Redevelopment of the Portswood Centre site represents a significant regeneration opportunity and financial investment for Portswood town centre, which will form a key component in the city scape and provide a building on one of the most prominent plots along Portswood Road.”

Previously
Portswood Shopping Centre: 500-bed student block plans now lodged