Student accommodation and shops at Portswood Centre, Southampton

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing existing buildings and constructing student accommodation with commercial floorspace, amenity areas, public realm, access and servicing.

“Proposed development: Demolition of existing buildings and construction of purpose-built student accommodation within blocks up to 6-storeys in scale containing 515 bed spaces (within up to 409 units) and flexible commercial floorspace (Use Class E), internal and external amenity spaces, public realm, vehicle access and servicing, cycle stores, plant, boundary treatments and other associated works (amended to increase commercial floorspace in Block A and associated…”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is a two-storey shopping centre in a district centre, with commercial and residential surroundings, a car park and nearby heritage assets.

“The application site has an area of 0.7 hectares and comprises the Portswood Centre (C.1985) a two-storey building providing 2,630sqm of commercial floorspace which is currently split into 10 units (7 no. retail units, 1 no. public house and 2 no. takeaway…”

“The surrounding area has a mixed commercial and residential character. The District Centre comprises ground floor commercial use with commercial or residential uses above. Residential streets bound the District Centre, such as Tennyson Road to the south-east and Bookvale Road and Russell Place located to the north-west.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

The site was previously occupied by a motorcycle business, and permission was granted in the mid-1980s for the Portswood Centre.

“The site was occupied by a motorcycle business in the 1970’s and early 1980s, owned and operated by Alec Bennet, who was previously a professional motorcycle racer with grand prix and Isle of Mann TT wins.”

“In the mid 1980’s planning permission was granted for the development of the Portswood Centre.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

A local resident objected, four supporters spoke, and two ward councillors objected; statements from two individuals and another councillor were also noted.

Changes considered by members

Members considered cycle storage and e-bicycle charging, while security matters led to requirements for management, entrance CCTV, secure gates and lighting controls.

“The presenting officer reported that since the publication of the report Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary had raised no objection to the application subject to securing 24/7 management, CCTV to entrances and secure access to security gates and external lighting design and bench design. This was reflected in changes to conditions 10, 11 and a new condition 37 as set out below. The presenting officer also advised that condition 25 had been amended, as set out below.”

“In addition it was noted that the requirement for community consultation in head of term xiii would be withdrawn as this was not considered to be necessary.”

Minutes

The vote

The habitats assessment was confirmed, and the remaining recommendations passed on the chair’s casting vote after three votes for and three against.

“Upon being put to the vote the Panel confirmed the Habitats Regulation Assessment.”

“The Panel then considered the remaining recommendations (2) that authority be delegated to the Director of Transport and Planning to grant planning permission subject to criteria listed in the report (as amended) and (3) and (4). Upon being put to the vote the recommendations were .”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee delegated authority to grant permission, subject to amended conditions, a legal agreement, transport works, student controls, commercial delivery measures and other obligations.

“That the Panel confirm the Habitats Regulation Assessment in Appendix 1 of this report. 2. Delegated authority to the Director of Transport & Planning to grant planning permission subject to the planning conditions recommended at the end of this report (as amended); and, the completion of a S.106 Legal Agreement to secure:”

“(xii) 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 (xiii) To secure delivery of the commercial units with initial fit out within 9 months from the commencement of development and ahead of occupation of the student accommodation.”

Minutes

Key amended requirements

The amended requirements covered landscaping and security, cycle storage including possible e-bike facilities, restricted commercial uses, active shopfronts and 24-hour management.

“(a) proposed finished ground levels or contours; means of enclosure; circulations areas, hard surfacing materials including permeable surfacing where appropriate, external lighting, structures (including bench seating and planters) and ancillary objects (refuse bins etc); (b) planting plans; written specifications (including cultivation and other operations associated with plant and grass establishment); schedules plants, noting species, plant sizes and proposed…”

“Before the development hereby approved first comes into occupation/use, details of the cycle storage facilities to accommodate a minimum of 260 long stay spaces and 18 short stay spaces, including the feasibility for incorporating additional e-bike parking and charging facilities, shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority and agreed in writing. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority, the two- tier racking system shall be gas assisted.”

Minutes