Three-storey apartment hotel in Southampton could be refused

Sabre Commercial Investment submitted a new planning application to build a 26-bedroom 'apart-hotel' on Winchester Road, opposite the Hollybrook roundabout. 

According to their new documents, plans include nine car parking spaces, 20 bike spaces, electric vehicle charging points, and an e-scooter docking station.

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A CGI image of the three-storey building off Winchester Road (Image: Newsquest)

Although a decision is yet to be made, the scheme has been recommended for refusal by Southampton City Council officers.

In an objection letter, Bassett ward councillor Richard Blackman said: "I am writing to object to the plans for a 26-bed apart hotel at 382 Winchester Road.

"I am particularly concerned about the limited parking facilities. 

"Provision remains inadequate, with heavy pressure on neighbouring streets and the Sports Centre car park. 

"Placing additional demand for parking on these roads would cause considerable inconvenience to residents as well as spread the problem to roads further afield, which also already have significant competition for parking places. 

"I am also concerned about the addition of a site with busy entrance and exit requirements on Hill Lane so close to the busy Hollybrook roundabout. This will generate further complexity and additional hazards."The location of the development off Winchester Road (Image: Newsquest)

Swaything councillor Lorna Fielker added: "I object to this planning application on the grounds of the adequacy of parking and its impact on the Outdoor Sports Centre.

"The application states that the Outdoor Sports Centre car parking spaces can be utilised to further minimise the impact on parking on local residential streets' by arguing that these spaces are more lightly used in the evening. 

"The facilities at the Sports Centre contribute to the We Can Be Active Strategy by encouraging more people to take up exercise.

"The proposed improvements to the Sports Centre include three additional floodlit artificial grass pitches, increasing usage of the facilities in the evening. 

"The promotion of parking here by the applicant for guests to the hotel will place undue pressure on parking available for users of the centre, which may discourage usage." 

The authority believes that if the plans go ahead, the development is likely to cause traffic and congestion in the area. 

The city council has urged the applicants to go back to the drawing board and rethink their plans around the design, amenities and impact on transport.