Vacant workshop and office buildings could make way for six family homes.

An application has been submitted to the city council to demolish the existing buildings at 3 to 7 Macnaghten Road and build six semi-detached houses.

The proposal would be for three-bedroom homes suitable for five people, with rear gardens and a single off-street car parking space per property.

Objectors voiced concerns over the existing challenges with parking, with the plans not offering “sufficient” spaces for the properties and removing on-street parking outside the site in Southampton.

Issues were also raised over a potential loss of privacy for existing homes and over development of the site.

One comment in support of the scheme said the site was currently standing vacant and there had been antisocial behaviour problems in the past.

No objections were raised by statutory consultees, including the local authority’s highways development management team.

READ MORE: Pub derelict for years is finally being demolished to make way for new homes

A report to the panel by a planning officer said: “The principle of new residential development is acceptable and the replacement of a commercial use with family dwellings is more conducive to the residential character of the neighbourhood when compared with the current appearance of the site.

“Whilst the coverage of the site by building and hard-surfacing is slightly more than the council’s guidance encourages, when considered in the round with the other benefits of the proposal, this is considered to be acceptable.”

While council policy would allow for up to two car parking spaces per house, it was found that there was insufficient space to provide more than one at the front of the homes.

The officer’s report added: “The provision of one space per dwelling strikes an appropriate balance between securing on-site car parking whilst still achieving a residential layout that works in both in terms of the character of the area whilst providing a well-functioning development.”

The site has been vacant since February 2022.

A design and access statement produced on behalf of applicant Mr J Clarke by chartered Surveyors Primmer Olds BAS said: “The proposed residential use is wholly suitable to the existing environment, and considerable more so than the current use, and will offer the opportunity to regenerate a vacant plot.”

The Bitterne Park scheme is due before the planning and rights of way panel after six objections were submitted by residents.

Planning officers have recommended councillors approve the development when they meet on Tuesday, September 17.