CITY bosses have raised concerns about “affordable housing” as a new vision has been unveiled for the Bargate Quarter.
A new scheme for the Bargate Quarter project in Southampton was revealed recently by developers Tellon Capital.
Previously the plans included new homes, as well as retail space and a new hotel, but the plans have been changed following a response to the impact of Covid-19 and how it has changed the way people live, work, shop, and socialise.
Now the scheme has been modified and includes 500 residential units - more than the 287 originally planned - and the hotel unit has been scrapped in favour of more housing.
There will also be 2,515 square metres of retail, down from the 7,343 originally proposed.
MP for Southampton Test Alan Whitehead has said that the city is in “desperate” need for more housing, but has raised concerns about whether the units that will be made available will be “affordable”.
He said: “We are in desperate need of good quality housing in the city and even pre pandemic the market for large expensive retail units was declining.
“It makes sense for these new plans to have more housing.
“However, we don’t have a lot of detail yet around the type of units that will be available or whether any of these will be affordable which will be very important.
“I also see a lot of green space provided and I’d be anxious that this was kept as proper public space for all to enjoy.”
MP for Southampton Itchen, Royston Smith, added that he "hopes the pandemic is not being used as an opportunity to increase the number of profitable homes".
He told the Daily Echo: "The pandemic has put a lot of pressure on development and the Bargate proposals are no exception.
"However, I'm not sure I agree with the developer's prediction of how people’s lives are going to change when the pandemic ends.
"While I acknowledge the need for more housing I hope the pandemic is not being used as an opportunity to increase the number of profitable homes at the expense of a comprehensive development on this valuable site.”
As previously reported, the developers claim that the plans take Southampton’s Green City Charter into account, with storage for bicycles available, and will increase access to the city walls.
Residents can view the proposals and have their say at www.bargatequarter.co.uk.
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