Wessex Lane plans expected to be submitted this week
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Residents are celebrating the University of Southampton’s decision to call a halt to controversial student flat plans for Avenue Campus, with the focus moving to other developments, including at Wessex Lane.
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The university faced opposition to its proposals for more than 400 beds on the Avenue Campus.
This included a community protest, which ended outside the institution’s main offices.
The university has now confirmed it will not be pursuing the scheme, which was still at the pre-application stage, at this time.
Instead, focus is going on other estate priorities including major developments at Wessex Lane, the completion of Highfield Campus’s North East Quadrant and the renovation of Nuffield Theatre.
Residents protesting against university plans for student flats on Avenue Campus. Photo: supplied
Roger Brown, chairperson of Highfield Residents’ Association (HRA), said: “HRA is delighted at the university’s decision not to pursue this development at the present time.
“However this points up even more the need for the council as a planning authority to have a policy regarding the proliferation of purpose-built student accommodation across the city.”
Portswood councillor John Savage (Lab) said he was absolutely delighted the Avenue Campus project would not be going forward.
Cllr Savage said campaigners argued the proximity of a large student development would have a negative impact on Southampton Common, which is a site of special scientific interest.
He said: “Like the rest of the country Hampshire is suffering from massive loss of biodiversity.
“To develop this part of the university for student accommodation so close to highly sensitive and important habitat would be incredibly damaging, particularly given the university’s ongoing work to protect the environment.
“This goes to show that the community, taking action together can make a real difference.”
Kat Barbour, Green Party Portswood councillor, was involved in organising the campaign to prevent the scheme coming forward, including the march to Highfield Campus in January. She plans on writing to university leaders to seek reassurances the land will not be built on and to suggest ideas for its use to enhance the area.
Resident and Green Party candidate Lori Foster said: “This result is a testament to the unity of the Highfield community, as neighbours we are delighted that the university listened to us and decided to drop the development.”
The university previously said its plans for Avenue Campus aimed to maximise its land to provide students with high-quality, sustainable and secure accommodation.
The proposals, which featured ‘townhouse’ style buildings, had already been revised last year following resident, staff and student feedback in an initial consultation.
Details on the decision to halt the project were announced alongside confirmation applications for new student accommodation on the Wessex Lane Campus will be submitted to Southampton City Council this week.
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