Staplewood: Extra parking set to replace former farmhouse

Civic chiefs have approved an application to demolish an "unsafe" building at Long Lane, Marchwood, and replace it with extra parking places.

The scheme relates to the Staplewood Campus, which occupies former farmland between Long Lane and the A326.

It is the latest in a series of successful applications to improve facilities at the training ground, which has been used by the Premier League club for several years.

The Staplewood training ground at Long Lane, Marchwood. Picture: Google Streetview (Image: Google Streetview)

Saints intend to demolish an old farmhouse in the north eastern part of the Southampton Football Club Academy Village.

The application said the detached building was formerly used for administrative purposes but had been vacant for more than two years.

It added: "Alternative residential use on this site is not considered appropriate and the costs of bringing the building back into use are prohibitive.

"Whilst the application relates to a private football club, it may be considered in terms of meeting the overall aim of supporting and enhancing existing established sports facilities."

The building has not been used as a house for more than 12 years.

Once it has been demolished the site will be used to provide extra parking spaces for staff and players associated with the academy management building.

The Staplewood training ground at Long Lane, Marchwood (Image: Newsquest.)

The scheme has been approved by New Forest District Council.

A council report said: "The building was last used as administrative offices by the club but is understood to have been vacant for the last two years, having become structurally unsafe.

"The farmhouse, whilst old, is not a listed building or a scheduled monument."

The report acknowledged that planning policies aimed to prevent the loss of open space but said the proposal involved the removal of a redundant building and was considered acceptable.

"The site is relatively well screened by buildings and structures within the site, and by mature trees along the roadside boundary with Long Lane."

Summing up, the report added: "The proposal would result in the demolition of a vacant and redundant building and the creation of five additional parking spaces.

"It would not be detrimental to the character of the surrounding area or the amenity of neighbours."

The club describes Staplewood as a state-of-the-art training campus that boasts world-class facilities.

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