Major housing scheme on former gasworks gets go ahead

The new flats will incorporate parts of the now-removed gasworks

A major £112m housing scheme on a former gasworks site that has been unused for 10 years has been given the green light.

Hawkstone Properties Ltd and SGN Place plan to deliver 384 build-to-rent flats across floor blocks on the land next to St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, Hampshire.

Despite concerns about the lack of affordable or family housing, Southampton City Council's planning and rights of way panel unanimously approved the scheme at a meeting on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Savills planning team director Bryony Stala said the project would provide homes for the long-term rental market, offering "stability and security" for tenants.

"The delivery of this scheme will be a catalyst for development in the area at a scale that will create a critical mass that allows a creation of a community, which will support the active frontages on the ground floor of the development," she said.

She added the new flats would reflect the history of the site.

The gasworks were demolished in 2021 but the site has been unused for 10 years

The residential blocks will range from eight to 17 storeys high, with commercial units on the ground floor and communal facilities including a gym, bicycle workshop, co-working spaces and lounges.

The scheme features 186 one-bed and 198 two-bed flats, with 176 on-site car parking spaces. Private balconies would be included with 264 of the flats.

Simon Reynier, representing City of Southampton Society, objected to the application, saying the site was not suitable and there was a lack of family accommodation and affordable housing.

It was also confirmed that vehicular movement in and out of the housing site on matchdays at St Mary's Stadium would not be possible.

Ms Stala said the 17-storey building was designed to create a "landmark feature"

Councillors on the panel granted the planning application, subject to the production of an updated viability assessment to confirm affordable housing was still not suitable for the project and the completion of a legal agreement between the applicant and the local authority.