CONTROVERSIAL plans to develop a former doctor's surgery into flats have been called "un-neighbourly" by planning officials.

AJ Developments Limited had hoped to transform the site of Regents Park Surgery, on Park Street, Shirley, into a block of 25 flats.

However, residents feared the development would impact on their life, particular restricting light coming through to the homes on the road.

The site had been a surgery up until 2017, before it merged with Grove Medical GP to form the Shirley Health Partnership.

Clinical services stopped but were moved to the larger site on Grove Road.

Since its closure, the building has been used largely for administrative purposes and AJ Developments aimed to bring the building back to life by transforming it into accommodation.

The part four-storey, part three-story building would have been made up of four three-bedroom, three two-bedroom and 18 one-bedroom spaces, following the demolition of the building.

The application concluded: "It is considered that the proposal on balance, represents a good use of this previously developed urban land in a highly accessible location.

"It is considered that the proposal complies with the Development Plan and would also have a positive impact on the character of the locality.

"It is therefore considered that the proposal ought to be approved."

Hannah Shambrook, of Park Street, disagreed. She said: "I'm a tenant and having a new block of flats built right next door will block sunlight coming into the flat such as the kitchen etc.

"I feel like it's already a noisy area, to increase this is just unfair for surrounding neighbours and residents in the area. The area is far too built up as it is with flats, another block is unnecessary."

Fellow Park Street resident Duncan Lip added: "The choice to limit available parking to just 12 spaces is of deep concern.

"The availability of the car parks and cost of parking in Marlborough Rd cannot be guaranteed; land can be sold or extra/higher charges introduced. The very limited parking survey conducted already highlighted side streets are close to capacity.

"The reality is that people are not going to go far to search for a parking place, leading people to discover that there is off-street parking for Burley House/Regents Court directly across the road."

Southampton City Council rejected the proposal.