“WE WILL fight to the end.”
That was the message from a group of residents who fear a controversial new development in Southampton will suffocate their community.
The Charlotte Place Campaign Group were among many residents taking a first look at the new amended plans for two tower blocks of student flats on derelict land in Charlotte Place.
As reported yesterday, Bouygues Development had initially submitted plans in October to Southampton City Council, but after fierce opposition from nearby residents, changes were made.
The new-look proposals, which were submitted to the council last month, have seen the south tower reduced by one storey, making it 14 storeys, and the north tower increased by two storeys, seeing it become a 20-storey building.
The number of beds has been reduced from 697 to 686 and there had also been allocated areas on the ground floor for businesses and restaurants but this has been extended to include community facilities.
Sarah Beuden, from Savills, who have been the planning consultant on the proposals, said: “We are pleased to be able to show the local people the changes we have made as a result of listening to what they have said to us.”
Seventy-four objections had been made to the plans by members of the public ahead of last night’s exhibition at the Newtown Youth Centre in Graham Road.
David Roath, vice-chairman of the Charlotte Place Campaign Group, said: “The tallest tower is still five storeys too high and there are too many people living on top of each other.
“We, as a group, do not have an issue with students, but we are against this overcrowding.
It needs to be in proportion.
“We were promised a healthy living centre and that is what we want to see there.
“We will fight this until the end to give the community want they want.”
The city council will decide on the plans later this year.
There are also plans afoot to convert the nearby gas board offices into student accomodation as well as the conversion of an office block in Brunswick Place into accomodation for post graduates.
