Work has started on an eyesore former motorbike shop on Shirley high street.

The former Yamaha Parkroad Motorcycles store in Shirley Road, which has been left graffitied and derelict over the past four years, is set to be transformed into two flats and a new business.

In December 2021 plans were approved for the former motorcycle shop to be partly demolished to make way for new homes.

Two two-bedroom, one four-bedroom and a three-bedroom home had been given the green light by the planning committee at Southampton City Council, but in the years since, the plans stalled and never took off.

The building was not demolished and in 2022 a new application was submitted to the council to see the retail unit retained on the bottom floor.

Regular shoppers in Shirley will be pleased to know that the ground floor will continue to operate for Class E use – such as a shop, café or restaurant.

The planning application shows two one-bedroom flats included in the proposal with much of the ground floor area of the building used a retail floor space.

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Within the application alterations to the existing shop front are also mentioned with large sliding garage doors, replaced with glazed openings more in keeping with a retail commercial frontage.

The planning application states: “Located in the Local Centre of Shirley, close to amenities, shops and services.

“The proposal will be popular due to its proximity to services and will bolster the viability of such areas as residents will utilise local shops and services.

“The site is close to all shops and services of Shirley and is also within walking distance to Southampton Common, Freemantle Lake Parks.

“The existing vehicular accesses from Shirley Road and Lisbon Road are to be removed and replaced with pedestrian access points and entrances.”

Construction crews have now moved in on the site and the building is in the process of being transformed.