A SOUTHAMPTON neighbourhood has been branded a "student ghetto" after plans were submitted for a new cafe.

Southampton City Council is considering proposals to turn a hairdressers on Portswood Road into cafe and hot food takeaway.

But a resident has been left angered by the plans, claiming that the area already suffers from antisocial behaviour.

The cafe would replace the existing Jays Gentleman's groomer and barber and would be open seven days a week between 8am and 12am, should the plans be approved.

One resident has hit out at the plans, branding the area as a 'student ghetto'.

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In an open letter to the council, the resident, who did not leave their name, said: "I have enjoyed shopping in Portswood Broadway for over 60 years but I am increasingly alarmed at the change since the roads on the eastern side have become an HMO / student ghetto with quite high crime incidents reported.

"Now I can see the Broadway becoming like the southern end of Bedford Place with a line of takeaways, and hot food outlets, mainly catering to the nighttime economy element.

"Counting along 33 shops on the west side and another 34 shops on the east side are there not already 10 takeaways and three late-night restaurants that do "take-outs"?

"This high proportion of takeaway outlets already erodes the shopping aspect and the night hot food outlets will become even more used if the Broadway is changed to encourage sitting out and late night activity."

The plans were submitted by Karam Ellahi of ChaSha, which is based on West End Road.

The plans state that the cafe would create five new jobs in the area as well as adding to the "diverse high street with its novel cuisine and ethnic food and drinks".

If approved, there would be a change made to the external frontage and signage.

A decision on the plans is yet to be made.