Red flag for latest plan for rooftop bar at former Kuti's Brasserie

The city council has again turned down proposals to convert the former Kuti's Brasserie in Oxford Street from a restaurant into a restaurant and drinking establishment.

Planning chiefs said noise generated by the proposed terrace would disturb people living nearby.

Plans to upgrade the former Kuti's Brasserie in Oxford Street, Southampton, by adding a rooftop terrace have been rejected (Image: Newsquest.)

Objectors to the application included the City of Southampton Society.

In a letter to the council, it said: "The Oxford Street Conservation Area was primarily a residential area with a concentration of restaurants.

"Over the years the restaurants have morphed into restaurants/drinking establishments or just drinking establishments. This has changed the whole ambiance of the street, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays, to the detriment of the local residents."

READ MORE: Plan to create four-storey bar with rooftop terrace rejected after police raise concerns

The application said a noise assessment had concluded that the proposed rooftop terrace would be "unlikely" to cause significant disturbance to residents.

It also listed various measures that would be taken to limit noise.

But a council report said: "Oxford Street is unique as an evening zone in the sense that nighttime uses are nestled amongst a residential community.

"It is considered that the noise impact from the roof terrace would adversely affect the amenity of nearby residents.

"The [council's] environmental health officer considers that measures to control the noise impact of the terrace are insufficient to mitigate the harmful impact."

The former Kuti's Brasserie in Oxford Street, Southampton, was hit by a fire in 2018 (Image: Newsquest.)

The report said the applicant had suggested a condition controlling the number of patrons using the terrace.

But it cited concerns about the ability to enforce any such restriction, adding: "The limit could easily be open to abuse without the council being able to effectively monitor compliance.

"The applicant has pointed to other examples of roof terraces allowed in the city.

"That said, each site is assessed on its own individual merits depending on the context of the local area."

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The report said the negative impacts would outweigh the benefits of bringing a vacant Oxford Street building back into use and increasing the range of entertainment facilities."

A similar proposal was rejected last August for various reasons.

The latest application said: "This proposal seeks to demonstrate that the only remaining issue, the noise impact on local residents, can also be addressed satisfactorily."

One resident praised the proposal in a letter to the council, saying rejecting the application would cause "significant damage" to the area.