By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Controversial university plans to house more than 1,100 students in a Southampton conservation area have been approved by a single vote.
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University of Southampton saw the scheme for its South Stoneham House and Connaught Halls sites in Swaythling overcome opposition from hundreds of residents and ward councillors.
The redevelopment includes the demolition and replacement of buildings at Connaught and the restoration of the Grade II*-listed South Stoneham House.
Multiple new blocks of up to six-storeys in height around the Grade II*-listed manor house will take the total number of bedspaces to 1,108.
This is twice the capacity from before the South Stoneham House tower block was demolished.
Planning officers said the scheme would deliver much‑needed student accommodation and secure the long‑term future of South Stoneham House, while objectors argued the scale, height and demolition of Connaught’s historic quad would harm the conservation area.
Ruth Hopgood, representing campaign group Connaught and South Stoneham Action, told Southampton City Council’s planning and rights of way panel re-providing 554 beds would balance the policy conflicts in the conservation area.
Councillors heard the sites are allocated for student accommodation in planning policy but must also be assessed as part of the Itchen Valley Conservation Area.
Ms Hopgood said: “We urge the council to reject the current proposal and ask for a development significantly reduced in scale and impact which better balances the needs of the conservation against the retention of student accommodation.”
She raised concerns about overshadowing, traffic and parking impacts, design density and scale and the loss of mature trees.
Keith Butler, University of Southampton project director, said the buildings had become vacant and fallen into disrepair.
He said Connaught closed at short notice in 2024 when significant deterioration in the building fabric was identified.
The panel was told a university review concluded the investment required was not viable.
Mr Butler said: “These existing assets will create a strong sense of community and safety for the perspective student occupants.
“The proposals will create significant benefits to the city through the provision of new student bedspaces to meet an identified need, thereby freeing up HMOs for family housing.”
All three Swaythling ward councillors objected to the application.
Lorna Fielker asked for a community liaison and management plan to be produced so concerns and mitigation measures can be achieved once the development was complete.
She also voiced fears about the pressure on GP surgeries in Swaythling.
Jon Walsh said his main objection was the height of the scheme, with some residents describing the proposed buildings as “monolithic”, while Thomas Gravatt said it was a “mixed bag” with student accommodation being the right thing for the site, but the concerns made the application more difficult to support.
The panel had mixed views on the application.
Councillor Dave Shields said: “I think it is good that the student accommodation is being proposed here but I am aware that this is quite a large intensification of this type of accommodation and it will have to be managed quite carefully.”
Councillor Sam Pryce: “I can’t in good conscience put such little value on Connaught Hall that the repair of Stoneham House is worth its demolition.”
The destruction of one of the city’s historic buildings could not be supported, councillor Ginnie Lambert said.
Councillor Sarah Wood said she would have like to have seen more consideration to retain the old quad.
Councillor Richard Piatkiewicz said Southampton needed good quality student accommodation, South Stoneham House gets refurbished and it was unfortunate Connaught Halls had to be demolished.
Panel chairman Vivienne Windle said the council’s failure to meet its housing targets made it difficult to refuse schemes.
The application was approved with four votes in favour and three against.
Councillors also approved a listed building consent application to allow the refurbishment of South Stoneham House.
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