Gateway go-ahead (From Daily Echo)
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15-storey student tower block approved despite parking fears
5:00pm Tuesday 20th March 2012 in Southampton
An artist's impression of the £20m 'Gateway Scheme'.
A CONTROVERSIAL 15-storey student tower block development has finally been given the go-ahead – despite fears over parking chaos.
Councillors voted for the £20m 'Gateway Scheme' in Swaythling, Southampton, even though the 348 students will no longer be banned from parking their cars in the area.
Planning permission was granted in July last year after the developer promised to force students to sign an agreement banning them from parking on the site or bringing their cars to the area or face eviction.
The developers, the UK arm of French construction giant Bouygues, removed the offer because it said action could not be enforced and it would instead be up to the University of Southampton.
University bosses confirmed that although they would encourage students not to drive in the city, they would not be prepared to threaten students with eviction.
Residents, some local businesses and ward councillors objected to the plans, saying it would cause parking chaos.
The tower, which includes 44 parking spaces not available for students, will provide a new home for the Stoneham Lane Surgery, alongside a pharmacy, supermarket and other community units.
The scheme will provide up to 125 jobs during construction and bring an estimated 30 to 40 full-time jobs.
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