New plans to add a sixth floor to a city centre block of flats could be approved 16 years after an initial proposal was given the green light.

Havelock Properties is seeking planning permission for the extension to add two two-bed penthouses at Havelock Chambers in Queens Terrace, Southampton.

In 2008, a different developer obtained conditional approval to provide two flats by building a sixth floor but this scheme was never implemented after a failed extension of time appeal.

The latest application for the site, which overlooks Queen’s Park, has attracted objections over bin and cycle storage concerns.

The proposal is set to go before Southampton City Council’s planning and rights of way panel on Tuesday, July 9, after it was referred to the committee by a ward councillor.

Planning officers have recommended approval of the scheme, subject to conditions.

These include a management plan for rubbish which would address “well-documented issues” with the existing arrangements.

An officer’s report to the panel said more cost-efficient Eurobins were replaced with wheelie bins following a health and safety issue for waste collection teams in trying to move Eurobins up and down a stepped access.

“The application proposes to remedy the current poor situation by facilitating level access between the bin store and the public highway for collection purposes,” the officer’s report said.

“This would enable Eurobins to be safely used and would address the current storage issues that the wheelie bins generate.”

The report said there was insufficient space in the existing cycle store for two additional cycles needed to serve the proposed penthouses.

To address this bicycle storage would be provided in the external terraces of the sixth-floor flats.

A condition suggested by officers is that the developer must provide a folding bicycle for each unit, which could be transported more easily in the lift than a conventional bike.

Alongside 26 objections from residents, Bargate ward councillor Sarah Bogle submitted her opposition on the grounds of over-development and lack of amenities for rubbish collection.

She said: “There are already existing issues linked to the flats’ proximity to a restaurant with refuse collection, noise from the restaurant and difficulties of access which need addressing.

“Adding another two flats and another floor to this building will exacerbate those issues.”

No objections were raised by the various consultees across various council departments.

A planning design and access statement prepared for the applicant by KM Planning said the proposal sought to address previous concerns the council and Planning Inspectorate raised when an appeal was lodged to extend the time of consent for the 2008 approval.

A similar application was withdrawn in 2022 due to concerns regarding rubbish arrangements and cycle parking.

Summarising their view on the latest proposal, the council planning officer’s report said: “The principle of new residential development is accepted, and introduction of a further floor is agreed in design and character terms.

“The proposal has successfully addressed the council’s/planning Inspector’s previous reasons for refusal.

“Whilst the provision of cycle storage is not comprehensive alongside the other units when considered in the round with the other benefits of the proposal, this is considered on balance to be acceptable.”