A DEVELOPER who submitted two alternative proposals to transform a Southampton site used to display advertising hoardings has seen both schemes approved.
MSK Elite Homes have been given the go-ahead to build a flat and a commercial unit on land behind The Colonade at Portsmouth Road, Woolston.
The Southampton-based company has also received consent to provide three flats on the same site.
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It follows the refusal of two earlier proposals to use the land to provide either six flats or four flats and a commercial unit.
Both applications were turned down in March last year after the city council criticised the design.
Now two revised schemes have each been awarded outline planning permission.
It means the developer can now decide which of the two proposed developments should be built.
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A statement that accompanied one of the applications said: "The site is currently unused, other than for the display of advertising hoardings.
"The scheme would deliver additional flats in a highly sustainable location. Offering a commercial unit will support the localised shopping area.
"Given the diverse form of development within the immediate area it is expected that the building will make a positive contribution to the appearance of the street scene."
The statement said one of the previous proposals was rejected amid concerns the "contrived and awkward" shape of the commercial unit would render it unviable for potential occupiers.
"The revised scheme enlarges the commercial space and provides direct access into the unit.
"The shape of the unit is more rectangular and more conventional, offering space for the storage and display of goods/tables."
Summing up the statement said: "This proposed development will positively contribute to the character and appearance of the area.
"It also represents a substantial financial investment which will provide income to localised businesses and revenue to the local economy."
A council report outlining the authority's decision added: "The site is not allocated for additional housing, but the proposed dwelling(s) would represent windfall housing development.
"There would also be social and economic benefits resulting from the construction of dwelling(s) and their subsequent occupation.
"The proposed design, scale and form would not be out of keeping with the character and appearance of the area.
"Even if a nursery or light industrial unit operated from the premises, the small scale of the use would not adversely affect the character and amenity of the area.
"The adverse impacts of granting planning permission would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits."
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