The application is scheduled to be heard by Southampton City Council’s planning and rights of way panel on Tuesday, November 4.

Planning officers have recommended approval, claiming that the construction has the potential to minimise demand for more student housing in less suitable regions of the city as well as lower demand for houses in multiple occupation (HMO).

The two blocks would include 325 studios, 27 one-bedroom flats, 83 shared studios, and 80 cluster bedrooms spread across 17 cluster units.

There would be no automobile parking places, only 260 long-term and 18 short-term bike spaces. Students would have access to both indoor and outdoor amenity areas.

The current 2,630 square metres of retail floorspace at the Portswood Centre would be replaced with 563 square metres of flexible commercial floorspace at the front of each block.

The application received scores of resident objections, as well as opposition from the Highfield Residents’ Association, Outer Avenue Residents’ Association, City of Southampton Society, and all three Portswood ward councillors. Cllr John Savage expressed worry about the overall lack of retail space in the proposal.

Cllr Savage stated, “This is a major retail area, and the site with a full retail ground floor offer with appropriate depth throughout the property is required to keep the district centre as a thriving retail sector.

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

Labour colleague Cllr Marie Finn expressed concern that the student demand may not exist if three more blocks are erected in the Portswood area.

Green Party councillor Katherine Barbour described the project as overwhelming and out of character for the area. Mayor Barbour commented: “There is a desperate need for housing for families and local people, not for more student flats.”

According to the planning officer’s report, the development complied with district centre policy by re-establishing active ground floor commercial frontage as part of a residential-led mixed use concept.

It stated, “The buildings are of good design quality and do not impair designated heritage items. “The public realm and new business units will help to maintain the district center’s vitality.

“The development would make efficient use of this previously developed site to provide residential accommodation.” A design and access statement submitted with the proposal stated that the scheme will revive a “neglected” area of Portswood.

The press release continued: “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.”

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