Student accommodation at Commercial Point 69 - 81 Commercial Road, Southampton

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing existing buildings and constructing student accommodation with 707 beds, communal areas, a retail unit, parking and landscaping.

“Proposed development: Demolition of existing buildings and construction of purpose-built student accommodation within blocks ranging between 6-18 storeys in scale containing 707 bed spaces (within up to 408 units) with ancillary communal amenity spaces and a retail unit along with associated bin storage, parking and landscaping.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was a 0.64-hectare office building and car park near mixed commercial and residential buildings, a school, a greenway and public transport.

“The application site on the north side of Commercial Road is 0.64 hectares in area and comprises Skandia Point, a six-storey office building (7,250 sqm GIA) and its surface level car parking area of 142 spaces, with vehicular access from Morris Road.”

“The surrounding area has a mixed commercial and residential character. The Maritime & Coastguard 4-storey office building occupies the neighbouring plot to the west. Orchard House on the adjacent eastern side of Morris Road comprises a ground floor commercial unit with flats over within a 3-6 storey building.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions covered the existing office and proposed leisure, health club and office development, but the later schemes were withdrawn or not implemented.

“In 2002 the Planning Panel resolved to grant permissions for a leisure health club and offices on part of the existing rear car park within the north-western corner. The application was in outline form, but the indicative drawings submitted showed five floors of accommodation above ground level car parking. The building was shown as being connected to Skandia Point.”

“In 2007 the Panel resolved to grant 4-5-storey office development within the rear car parking area and the decision to conditionally approve was issued in 2008 following completion of the S106 agreement, however this planning permission was not implemented and has since lapsed. 5.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Local residents, the agent, the applicant and a ward councillor addressed the Panel, with further statements circulated and read.

The vote

The Panel confirmed the Habitats Regulation Assessment and carried the recommendation to delegate permission to the Director of Transport and Planning.

“The Panel then considered the remaining recommendations that authority be delegated to the Director of Transport and Planning to grant planning permission subject to criteria listed in the report (as amended). Upon being put to the vote the recommendations were carried.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was delegated subject to satisfactory flood and drainage arrangements, conditions, a legal agreement and authority to refuse if key matters were not resolved.

“The submission, approval and implementation of a Travel Plan for residents and the operators of the commercial unit to promote sustainable modes of travel in accordance with Policy SDP4 of the City of Southampton Local Plan Review and policies CS18 and CS25 of the adopted LDF Core Strategy 3) In the event that the drainage matters cannot be satisfactorily resolved and/or the legal agreement is not completed or progressing within a reasonable timeframe after the Planning and…”

Minutes