by Dan Hopgood, Ethelburt Avenue resident
A planning application is in process for the redevelopment of the car park, youth club and housing office opposite Market Buildings.
A 15 storey tower with 6 storey wings would provide student accommodation for 384 students as well as supermarket, pharmacy, doctor’s surgery with 8 consulting rooms, plus 2 areas for community use to be let on a commercial basis. The community space would revert to alternative commercial use if no community use is identified.
24 car parking places are provided for the existing parking needs plus the whole development, including staff. The parking provision relies heavily on a signed undertaking by students not to keep a car in Southampton which Southampton University External Relations have acknowledged as being impractical to enforce.
The period for public consultation was due to end on 24th March. However, at a meeting on 21st March with councillors and concerned residents (mainly from Parkville Road) it was confirmed by the developer that the proposals are being revised as the result of comments received. The overall scale and car parking within the site remain unaltered. My comments against the development have been uploaded to the HCERA website.
Comment on building management plan
Comment on design and access statement
Comment on transport assessment
Once the developer has completed revised documents in early April, further opportunity for public comment will be given. Information about the proposals is available at: http://publicaccess.southampton.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx. Insert application reference 11/00204 and click “Search”.
The intention is to present the development at the Planning and Rights of Way Panel in May, after the local council elections. Cllr Jane Odgers, who has been active in voicing concerns on behalf of Parkville Road residents will be standing down and Cllr Edward Osmond has stated he will not sit on the committee deciding the application, although he will be making a statement generally in support of it. What the election candidates think of the development remains to be seen.