A CITY centre building, which was once a bank used by thousands, is to be demolished to make way for new flats.

Plans for 47 new student studios and a ground-floor cafe at the site once occupied by NatWest on Southampton High Street have been given the green light.

The building – which has been empty for years – is set to be demolished to make way for a new five-to-six-storey building.

Daily Echo: Artist\'s impression of what the new development would look like

In 2019 civic chiefs approved proposals for a  97-room hotel at the site, and now the fresh proposals for the student accommodations have been given the go-ahead.

The new plans also include an extra floor above the nearby building  which is currently occupied by stores No Limits and Coral on the ground floor.

The existing 53 student studios at the site are expected to be refurbished.

The plans tabled by Stelling Properties Ltd have sparked mix reactions.

Bargate Councillor John Noon previously asked for the plans to be refused.

He said: “The number of student blocks in the city centre is now at a saturation point making further student accommodation in the city centre not viable.”

The City of Southampton Society said it previously raised concerns about the need for new hotels and student accommodations in the city.

But it added that the assessment of the market done in this case “must” be trusted.

“On balance we are happy to support this application”, the group said.

Some concerns were also raised over the impact of the new development on nearby buildings.

But planners said the development will not lead to “harmful loss of light, privacy or overshadowing”.

Daily Echo: Artist\'s impression of what the new development would look like

Bargate Cllr Sarah Bogle previously said the proposals “may need further revision” in light of the pandemic.

It comes as she said that “currently it appears the student housing market demand is limited”.

In official documents planning bosses said: “The principle of this type of accommodation is well suited for this site which is close to existing bus routes and within easy walking distance of Solent University. Other material considerations have been considered and are not judged to have sufficient weight to justify a refusal of the application.”

According to the plans, the ground floor café would be open Monday to Saturday from 6.30am to midnight and on Sundays from 7am to 11pm.