Midanbury Lane affordable housing plans turned down
- Published
Residents said the development would remove the last remaining "green oasis" in the area
Campaigners are celebrating after proposals for a large housing scheme on former playing fields were rejected.
Sovereign Network Group had planned to build 84 "much needed" affordable homes near the former St Mary's Independent School in Midanbury Lane, Southampton.
Residents objected saying it would remove the last remaining "green oasis" in the area.
Councillors rejected the advice of planning officers and voted three to one against the plans.
Grant funding for the scheme had been secured from Homes England - allowing 100% affordable housing in the form of social rent and shared ownership properties.
Sovereign said its development would be a "balanced community of family homes" and would have included 22 three-bed houses and 24 two-bed apartments.
Councillor Jaden Beaurain said: "...I am really struggling to come up that on balance this would be a good thing"
More than 180 objections were received over the loss of the open space, increased traffic, road layout, flooding problems and heightened demand on public services.
David Fuller, of the resident opposition committee, said the loss of the "green oasis" would do "irreversible" damage to the city.
"This site is entirely inappropriate for this application and deserves the protection of this panel from development," he added.
Sport England also objected to the proposed loss of the former school playing fields, despite Sovereign committing £613,000 to improve sports facilities at nearby Riverside Park.
Planning case officer Rob Sims, who recommended approving the application, said the overall benefits outweighed the loss of the open space and change of use for the site.
Councillor Jaden Beaurain said: "As much as I appreciate and understand the positives of the development in terms of housing, I am really struggling to come up that on balance this would be a good thing."
Follow BBC South on Facebook, external, X, external, or Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2240, external.