A MAJOR redevelopment in Southampton has been given the go-ahead despite concerns from members of the public.

A new three-storey building will be constructed at 49-65 Bevois Valley Road to create 24 new flats following the demolition of the former site of furniture retailer Heli-beds.

Developers Turley, on behalf of Southampton Hill Developments Ltd, were granted permission to build the new complex, which will have seven one-bedroom and 17 two-bedroom units as well as cycle and refuse storage, by Southampton City Council on Monday February 26.

Within the application, Turley said: “The development has been designed with a consistent footprint, with the building sited on the Bevois Valley Road site frontage and returning onto Ancasta Road.

“This perimeter block form is consistent with the historic, and more recent pattern of development in the area and will allow for the creation of a consistent street scene.

“Siting the building in this location also allows for the provision of a communal amenity area to the rear of the building which is screened from activity on Bevis Valley Road.”

Some locals, however, are not fond of the developer’s vision.

Delia Greengrove, from nearby Earls Road, said: “This is an extremely high-density living space, which inevitably some occupiers will have cars with no space in surrounding roads to park them.”

And Heather Green added: “My concerns are that some of the one bedroom flats on level two and three have living room windows facing the back of our property and level three may be inline with our bathroom skylight windows, if opened our personnel privacy will be compromised.”

The current site has been unoccupied since Heli-beds left it. It was chosen as the road is a busy distributor road running towards the city centre and the area has benefitted from redevelopment of a number of plots in recent times.

Other residents were happy the plan was given the green light as it would reduce anti-social behaviour.

Max Holderness said: “The existing site has become a space for drugs to be dealt and taken. This has resulted in damage to surrounding property, theft of property and endangers local residents - grievances raised to the council and police have previously been ignored.

“By demolishing and rebuilding the previous Heli Beds site this new development will prevent the above from continuing and will make our neighbourhood safer.”