A proposal to transform upper-floor office space into residential apartments at 9 High Street has received prior approval from Southampton City Council.

The scheme, submitted by Manor Properties Limited, will convert the first and second floors of the building into two residential flats.

The building, situated within Southampton's Old Town North Conservation Area, currently has a restaurant on the ground floor, with office space above, formerly occupied by an employment agency.

The approved plan will change the upper floors from commercial (Class E) to residential use (Class C3), creating two new two-bedroom apartments.

The submitted proposal complies with national and local planning regulations.

No external alterations will be made to the building, ensuring the preservation of the conservation area's character.

The council's conservation officer did not raise any objections, noting that the changes are limited to the building's interior, safeguarding its external appearance.

The development has been designed to provide adequate natural light in all habitable rooms, with significant existing fenestration.

Although no parking spaces will be provided for the new flats, the highly accessible city-centre location offers numerous public transport options, aligning with the council's policies to reduce car dependency in urban areas.

Secure cycle storage will be provided within the flats, addressing concerns about external storage security.

An extensive Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) was conducted to assess the development’s potential impact on nearby protected areas, including the Solent and New Forest Special Protection Areas.

The assessment concluded that, with appropriate mitigation measures—such as contributions to the Solent Recreation Mitigation Strategy and improvements to local green spaces—the development would not have significant adverse effects on these sensitive sites.

No objections or support were received from local residents or community groups during the consultation period, which ended on October 18.

The council's heritage and environmental health departments also raised no concerns.