The proposed shops in an ambitious plan for 500 student flats has been described as an “afterthought” by a councillor.

Plans to transform Portswood Shopping Centre into student accommodation and shops were unveiled this month.

Only in the public consultation stages, the proposals from student housing group Fusion have been met with mixed reviews by Southampton residents.

Cllr John Savage, ward councillor for Portswood, was only made aware of the consultation around the time it was launched.

(Image: Newsquest) “When I saw what was being proposed, it was clear that the developer had not considered shops to be part of the deal,” he said.

For Cllr Savage, the only interest from developers is to deliver student housing and the retail units were hastily added when they were told about planning policies.

He said: “This is particularly disappointing because the landowners in their adapted plans are choosing to build on a perfectly good car park, currently used to service the shops from the rear.

“They now seek to have a much-reduced shopping offer and plan to make deliveries to the front of the shops from a lay-by on Portswood Road.

“Nobody wants a shop to abandon its perfectly useful parking area and put several tons of steel outside on the main road.”

READ MORE: Ambitious plans to replace shopping centre with 500 student flats unveiled

Cllr Savage’s concerns come at a time where the importance of thriving businesses on Portswood high street is being amplified by residents ahead of the Portswood Broadway changes.

From the start of next year, the broadway will only be open to buses, taxis and cyclists on a part-time basis from early 2025.

During the trial, the road - from Westridge Road to the St Denys Road spur - will be shut to cars and only open to bus/taxi/cycles on Monday to Saturday from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm.

Cllr Savage added: “When I speak to residents, they tell me how important the variety of shops is and how important it is to the community.

“I will be working with the planning team and the developer to provide high quality and environmentally excellent student accommodation while maintaining a truly vibrant shopping area that meets the needs of the whole community.”

Email portswood@redwoodconsulting.co.uk to send comments, or phone 07515 050335 with any queries on the student flats plan.

The deadline for feedback is 9am on November 4.