CITY planners have agreed in principle to the controversial redevelopment of a Southampton Univer-sity site.

Those opposing plans to redevelop the Boldrewood Campus, at the junction of Burgess Road and Bassett Avenue have said the scheme would lead to gridlock and destroy the city's "green gateway".

The university wants to demolish the existing building, including the university's school of medicine, and relocate it to a new Institute for Life Sciences, yet to be built on the Highfield Campus.

University bosses say the existing Boldrewood is no longer suitable for student and staff use.

In its place they want to build a Maritime Centre for Excellence and extend the university's school of management.

The marine arm of London- based Lloyd's Register is also due to move its headquarters to the site - although this will be the subject of a separate planning application.

However, local policy planning guidance says the site should only be used for academic, teaching and research facilities.

City planners have agreed outline planning permission for the redevelopment of the 4.4-hectare site, more than doubling the number of car parking spaces from 204 to 468 and creating a new access from Burgess Road.

They also agreed in principle that the existing Bassett Crescent East entrance should be closed.

A full university planning application is likely to be submitted within the next few months as well as a detailed planning application from Lloyd's Register.

Residents have written 69 letters of objection. They argue the redevelopment to accommodate 4,280 students and staff, compared with the existing 3,250, would place a strain on the local road network.

City councillors were told that a transport study has already confirmed that traffic junctions near to the site, such as the Burgess Road junction with Bassett Avenue are "already at or near capacity."

Commenting on the planners' decision Paul Scruton, of Bassett Crescent East said: "It will mean more traffic hold ups and pollution. And the green corridor into our city will be spoiled by intrusive buildings."

Professor Adam Wheeler, university Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: "The decision by Southampton City Council's Planning and Rights of Way Panel to support our outline plans for Boldrewood is the first milestone in the university's redevelopment of the campus."