PLANS for more than 100 new flats in an empty Southampton city centre office block have been given the green light.

The Dukes Keep office building in Marsh Lane is to be turned into 118 flats.

The 14-storey empty building will see 69 one-bedroom and 49 two-bedroom flats as well as 97 parking spaces and 180 cycle spaces.

The plans put forward by Metropolitan Properties (Investments) Ltd have been approved by Southampton City Council.

Developers said the proposals would have no impact on transport and noise.

But some concerns were raised.

Bargate councillor Sarah Bogle said: “I am not convinced this is a suitable use for this office building as there is no option to have any outdoor space/balconies. I am concerned about over-development and lack of amenities in this area.”

Cllr John Noon said he did not have any objections to more homes in the city centre.

“But [I] do have a concern that change of use of office space into homes does not always come with infrastructure to support such development,” he added.

In a comment sent to the city council local resident Chris Zardis added: “This is an ugly, dilapidated office block that should not be put to residential use. There

are no balconies, and after our experience in the pandemic we know how important personal outdoor access is. Quite honestly the whole thing needs tearing down, it’s barely suitable for office use let alone residential.”

But developers defended the proposal.

In a statement they said: “The transport assessment confirms that the site is sustainably located and benefits from a good level of accessibility to key services, facilities and destinations. Under the proposed use there is likely to be a modest increase in trips during the weekend period, however

this is not likely to have a noticeable effect on the local road network.”

They said the scheme meets the planning requirements and “would provide natural light into all habitable rooms”.

“The proposal would not have any adverse impacts on matters relating to transport, flooding, contamination or noise”, they added.

Plans for 147 flats at the site were approved in 2019.

But new proposals for 118 flats were put forward last summer.