The city council has approved an application to turn an office block into a 20-room apart hotel with a café, car park and staff office.

The proposal in Winchester Road, Bassett, includes secure cycle storage and e-scooter docking station at a ground floor 10-space car park.

An apart hotel functions in a similar way to a traditional hotel, but rooms are fitted with their own kitchen facilities.

The site is located at the junction between Winchester Road and Hill Lane.

The council said that five or more letters of objection were received in relation to the proposal.

Ward councillor for Bassett, Richard Blackman, objected to the proposal, considered at a Planning and Rights of Way meeting.

He said: “My concerns primarily relate to the inadequacy of parking provision within this development, which I believe presents significant issues for the community, residents, and the wider area.

“Inadequate parking provision, as proposed in the current development plans, will undoubtedly result in further parking congestion in the area.

“This can lead to a wide range of issues, including a reduced quality of life for residents who will encounter difficulties in finding parking, increased traffic, and adverse environmental impacts.”

Councillors at the planning meeting on Tuesday said the proposal does have adequate parking, although two prior applications were rejected on these grounds.

The previous proposals were for a 34-bed and then 26-bed apart hotel on the site.

These were considered by the planning panel on November 1 in last year and June 6.

The two prior applications were rejected on the grounds that there was not enough parking available for hotel guests.

The applications were also refused on the grounds that would have an impact on existing residential amenities and sunlight to residents in Nirvana Place.

The café at the proposed site will also be open to the public.

David Gobbins, representing the developer, attended Tuesday’s meeting.

He said the application, from Sabre Commercial Investments, ‘fully addresses’ the two previous reasons for refusal.

Speaking to the panel, Mr Gobbins said: “(It has) been very carefully scrutinised by your officers.
“We believe that parking now amended is accepted in this context.”