PLANS for a new 70-bed student accommodation block have been lodged with Southampton City Council

Construction company, McLaren Ltd, has submitted an application to develop land adjacent to the St Margaret’s House student block in Hulse Road.

The news comes after a new 188 student apartment complex in the Southampton High Street has been given the go ahead by city planners despite residents saying it would ‘degrade’ Southampton’s Old Town area.

St Margaret’s House has recently been refurbished and was reopened for students in September 2018.

The proposed new block will be lower in height than the existing building and will complement its design, say McLaren

The proposals also include two smaller townhouses to the rear of the site, which will be predominately brick.

Bruce Ruddle, development director at McLaren Property which owns the site, said: “We are pleased to be able to bring forward these proposals at St Margaret’s House, which would help address the need for specialist student accommodation in Southampton and help to reduce the number of student HMOs that take up valuable family homes in the area.

“The scheme has been carefully designed to ensure that it is in keeping with the surrounding area and the sites sustainable location close to both universities means that students will not require a car throughout their time at St Margaret’s House.”

MP Alan Whitehead who represents the Southampton Test constituency said: “Student living blocks are in principle a good idea as it means less students are living in HMOs, this then frees up more housing for families and other residents.

“But the question is what are the planning consequences?

“The intensification of development is a worry that I have but without having seen the plans myself I cannot comment on the planning consequences.”

La Lupa’s plans for the High Street, approved last week, will feature a five to six storey apartment block and a four-storey management and accommodation building backing on to Castle Way.

Three buildings including Rocket Ronnies Pool Hall will be demolished and just four parking spaces will serve the development.

The plans also include a shop, cafe, gym and communal recreation area.