Southampton: Freya Centre fertility clinic could become flats

Dolphin Homes, which provides residential care for adults with learning disabilities, wants to convert the Freya Centre at Anglesea Road, Shirley, into one-bedroom flats.

The clinic is moving to larger premises and the building is expected to become vacant later this year.

The Freya Centre in Anglesea Road, Southampton (Image: Newsquest.)

A planning statement that forms part of the application says the site is a short walk from St James Park and the centre of Shirley.

Nearby facilities include a convenience store at the western end of Medina Road, plus a pub and a dental practice.

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The statement says the proposed development would make better use of a previously developed site, enabling it to help meet the need for specialised housing.

"The proposals will aid economic growth and provide for housing need within a planning system where the government wishes to see a presumption in favour of sustainable development.

"The development performs an important social role by providing specialist housing for future generations.

"The building already exists in the streetscape and when originally constructed contained five flats, so the principle of residential use has already been established."

The Freya Centre in Anglesea Road, Southampton (Image: Newsquest.)

Plans include a communal lounge, a garden area, and a staff room.

Residents will not hold driving licences and staff going to and from the building will be encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport.

"The specialised accommodation would provide a windfall site to contribute towards the council’s five-year housing supply, whilst giving residents some measure of independence in the community."

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A design and access statement that also accompanies the application says the clinic is moving to a larger site.

It adds that the building will become vacant and is "ideally suited" to its proposed new use.

"The site is situated on the north-western side of Anglesea Road, between the junctions with Winchester Road to the north and Medina Road to the south.

"There is a generous rear garden with access gates to the side and rear service road.

"There is a desperate need for specialist assisted living units in Southampton. There is a compelling case to allow this development to proceed."

The Freya Centre is run by TFP Wessex.

A spokesperson confirmed the clinic is due to move to a new site in the Southampton area but said the details had yet to be confirmed.