A SOUTHAMPTON university has received consent to keep using temporary buildings installed during the pandemic.

The University of Southampton has been given planning permission to retain two temporary classrooms and four portable toilets at the Highfield Campus in Salisbury Road.

Temporary consent has been granted for a further five years, starting on January 1 2024.

A city council report said: "The university wishes to continue the use of these facilities to enable works to permanent buildings which are in need of upgrade.

"The structures are single-storey and within the campus. As such, they have a limited effect on the wider character and appearance of the area. Whilst they are utilitarian in appearance, this is both to be expected and acceptable for a temporary period, during operational changes."

The report said the council would not normally support repeated extensions of temporary planning consent.

But it added: "The clear benefits are considered to outweigh the short-term visual impact of the structures and loss of parking."