Plans in to redevelop post-war building

Plans to redevelop the site of an “unattractive” post-war era building in Southampton city centre into new student housing have been lodged with the city council.Earl Estates is seeking planning permission to demolish 144-149 High Street and replace it with a five-storey building to provide 68 student bedrooms, associated communal facilities and a retail unit.The site comprises an “unattractive 1950s building” in a poor state of repair at the corner of High Street and West Street.The building is described as “typical of the post-war building in the city, in that it comprises a relatively cheap construction that was intended as a short to medium-term solution”.In planning documents lodged with Southampton City Council, Earl Estates said the aim of this proposal is to redevelop the site and “set the principles for regeneration of adjacent 1950s terraces”.Furthermore, the developer added that the scheme responds to the council’s objectives of revitalising the site and that the proposed development has the potential to boost confidence in the local area and “act as a catalyst for further investment and regeneration”.Plans for the site were drawn up by Horden Cherry Lee Architects and a planning statement was submitted by Savills on behalf of Earl Estates.The application is set to be determined by Southampton City Council’s planning committee by 12 September 2016.