Major Nelson Gate scheme set for thumbs up

A hybrid planning application to transform Southampton’s Nelson Gate into a mixed-use scheme featuring new homes, a hotel, offices and commercial space is set to be approved by the city council next week.Nelson Gate currently comprises a number of office buildings, with the tallest – Norwich House – rising to 14 storeys. It has been vacant since 2010.The application is seeking outline permission for a 20-storey tower comprising 110 residential units on an existing car park on the western side of the site, an 11-storey hotel with 225 bedrooms and associated facilities and a double level car park with 43 spaces.Detailed permission is sought for the demolition of Grenville House, which would be knocked down to make way for a three-podium extension to Norwich House with four ground floor commercial units and office accommodation above.External changes are also proposed for Frobisher House; the building’s western wing would be retained as offices along with two commercial units.New documents filed ahead of a Southampton City Council planning committee meeting on 12 November 2019 revealed the project has been recommended for the green light.In their report, planning officers said the proposed range of uses “are suitable for this location within the Station Quarter” and the “net loss of open space across the site is acceptable in principle”.They added that the new office space “reflects current market demand”.Final approval is subject to the completion of a section 106 agreement.