By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to build more than 1,100 student bedspaces in a conservation area have been recommended for approval, despite a petition with 340 signatures.
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University of Southampton and Aspire Consortium want to carry out the major development on the grounds of the vacant South Stoneham House and Connaught Halls of Residence in Swaythling.
Members of Southampton City Council’s planning and rights of way panel are due to consider the application on Tuesday, July 21.
If approved, South Stoneham House would be renovated to provide 16 studios, with four new blocks ranging from two to five storeys adding 276 bedspaces around the Grade II*-listed building.
The existing Connaught Hall buildings would be demolished and replaced with five blocks between two and six storeys, providing a further 816 bedspaces.
The plans cover land within the Itchen Valley Conservation Area.
Ruth Hopgood, 60, has taken a leading role in the resident campaign against the scheme.
She said the university was trying to get double the number of students on the site compared to the numbers when all of the existing buildings were in use.
Ms Hopgood, a retired civil engineer, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The planning policies of the conservation area and the site being designated for student use conflict with each other.
“There is no argument about the use as it has been in student use for 95 years but there’s a presumption against new building in the conservation area and there is nothing in the student use that says you have to increase the size.
“It is just totally unsympathetic. It is completely against the conservation area strategy.”
The strategy for the conservation area says new buildings, alterations, extensions and replacements should be compatible with and enhance the character of the area and its listed buildings.
Ms Hopgood said residents would welcome South Stoneham House coming back into use but she said the size of the overall development and demolition of Connaught Hall was not acceptable.
She said it was “scandalous” the plans did not meet the council’s 10 per cent biodiversity net gain requirements.
Ms Hopgood said: “There is no reason why they can’t do that on site.
“It’s a conservation area. It’s designated green space. That is an absolute scandal.”
A report to the panel said the applicant would meet the threshold through offsite units, which is allowed in policy.
Swaythling ward councillor Lorna Fielker is also objecting to the application.
She said residents have told her the new buildings are too large for the area and will ruin the look and feel of the historic neighbourhood.
They have also raised concerns about parking and traffic issues, and harm to wildlife and nature.
Cllr Fielker said: “The university says council rules protect this land for students, meaning we shouldn’t lose student beds.
“But council rules also protect our conservation areas from overdevelopment.”
The Labour councillor said a fair compromise would be to limit the development to 540 students, matching the previous number on the site.
She added: “Cutting it back to 540 spaces fulfils the rules, respects the history of the site, and stops our neighbourhood from being overwhelmed.
“I urge the university to listen and come back with a smaller, better plan.”
While the application has been recommended for approval by planning officers, the council’s historic environment officer has objected.
They said the total loss of the Connaught Hall buildings, which had some heritage interest, would result in a high level of harm, while there would be moderate harm to St Mary’s Church and the conservation area.
The planning officer’s report says: “The design quality is considered good and, whilst there would be less than substantial harm to heritage assets, the development itself is considered to have an acceptable impact on the character of the area.
“The development retains and enhances a substantial amount of open space on the site which would become accessible to the community and would be safe from flood risk.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service approached University of Southampton for comment.
A university spokesperson previously said: “The plan carefully balances the university’s need to create purpose-built student accommodation with the restoration and preservation of South Stoneham House.
“Developing and investing in our estates will ensure we are fit for the future and can provide our students with high quality accommodation.”
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