PLANS for an eleven storey high block of student accommodation in Southampton city centre could get the green light next week.

The former Voodoo Lounge nightclub and current Buyology discount store could be torn down and replaced with the new block if planning chiefs give their approval.

If they are approved work could begin to build 283 student flats and ground floor retail or food outlets at the site in Vincents Walk.

The nightclub site has had several incarnations in recent years, most recently as the Voodoo Lounge and also as Chicago Rocks, Bliss and The OC.

Buyology is open and continues to trade at the site, with staff telling the Daily Echo no decision had been made on whether or where the store would be relocated if the plans are approved.

Victoria Hall Management wants to completely overhaul the site and build a block ranging from eight to 11 storeys in height that would tower over neighbouring Above Bar.

It would contain a mixture of 44 cluster flats and 97 studio apartments which would be aimed at returning, postgraduate and overseas students.

The company, which runs a number of different student halls across the UK, declined to comment.

But in its application they said: "The application proposals represent an excellent development opportunity to respond to the significant demand for student accommodation in the city whilst also responding to the council and local residents’ aspirations of reducing the amount of students currently living within private rented accommodation by providing a high quality purpose built student accommodation in a highly sustainable and accessible location."

Five residents have raised concerns over the application by writing to the city council.

They say that the tower would be out of keeping with its surroundings and the nearby parks, that it would lead to an increase in parking that could lead to road safety issues and that it would not relieve pressure on shared houees elsewhere in the city.

They also say that "developing the site for student accommodation misses an opportunity to address other housing need".

Responding, council planning officers say policy is supportive "in general" of taller buildings being on the edges of the city's parks and that the site is not anticipated to lead to parking issues as it does not feature any spaces with students intended to use public transport.

They also say that just 34 per cent of the city's students are currently housed in purpose-built accommodation with more needed.

City council officers have recommended that the plans be approved at the planning and rights of way panel's meeting tomorrow.