Former tank room at Royal Mail House could become office

The city council has received an application relating to the Grade II-listed Royal Mail House, a former hotel opposite what used to be Southampton Terminus station, which closed in 1966.

Permission is being sought to convert a former tank room at Royal Mail House into an office.

The building, part of the Oxford Street Conservation area, was constructed in the early 1840s and was originally Radley's Hotel.

Southampton City Council has received a planning application relating to Royal Mail house, formerly Radley's Hotel. Picture: MDH Architectural Services.

Artemus Ward, an American humorist who found fame on both sides of the Atlantic in the mid-19th century, died at the hotel during a visit to Southampton in 1867.

A plaque commemorating him was placed on the wall of the London Hotel on the opposite side of Oxford Street.

Radley's Hotel closed in 1907 and the building was occupied by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, which was liquidated in 1932 and taken over by Royal Mail Lines Ltd.

The planning application says Royal Mail House includes a bar/restaurant and two commercial units, one of which is due to be converted into a cafe.

If the scheme is given the go-ahead a first floor room that used to contain a water tank will be converted into an office.

The application says: "The building was designed with a simple, elegant style, providing hotel accommodation in the 19th century with evidence of alterations in the early 20th century, when the hotel was converted into offices.

"The proposed change of use will have little to no adverse effect on the surrounding area, largely taking place in the block to the rear of the historic frontage."

The former Southampton Terminus station in 1957.

The scheme is outlined in a public notice published by the city council, which will decide the application.

Other public notices:

Southampton City Council is closing Victory Road between its junctions with Waterhouse Lane and Victory Square from February 16 (9am-4pm) for manhole repairs. The works are due to be completed by February 17.

Southampton City Council is closing Thomas Lewis Way southbound from the left turn slip from Stoneham Lane to the left turn slip into Thomas Lewis Way from February 8 (8pm-6am) for highway maintenance. The works are due to be completed by February 10.

Ali Ahmet, trading as Adams Wholesale Southampton Ltd, of Badgers Close, Eastleigh, is applying for permission to use Unit 6 Woodside Road, Eastleigh, as an operating centre for two goods vehicles.

Anlore Haulage & Plant Ltd, of Ash View Farm, Babcary, Somerton, is applying for permission to add an operating centre to keep 20 goods vehicles and four trailers at Andres Road, Nursling Industrial Estate.

Network Scaffolding Solutions Ltd, of Gang Warily Compound, Newlands Road, Fawley, is applying to use the compound as an operating centre for four goods vehicles.

Benjamin Giles, trading as Southern Surfacing Solutions, is applying for a licence to use QUOB Stables Equestrian Centre, Durley Brook Road, Durley, Southampton, as an operating centre for two goods vehicles.

Connect It Utility Services Ltd is applying for permission to add an operating centre for three goods vehicles at Foundation House, Unit C (West) Hamilton Business Park, Hamilton Way, Hedge End.

R O'Mahony, trading as ROM Scaffolding Services Ltd, is applying for permission to keep an extra two trailers at the operating centre at Unit 1 Muira Industrial Estate, William Street, Northam, Southampton.