Southampton's Dolphin Hotel set to become student bedrooms

An application to convert the Dolphin Hotel was given the green light by the city council in July, subject to the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement.

The agreement has now been signed, enabling the authority to formally issue planning permission.

Plans to convert the Grade II-listed building in High Street into 99 student bedrooms have come under fire from residents, tourism groups, and the Hampshire branch of the Jane Austen Society.

Plans to convert the Dolphin Hotel into student housing have cleared a final hurdle (Image: Newsquest)

The famous author briefly lived in Southampton and went dancing at the hotel, which was also visited by Queen Victoria and Admiral Lord Nelson.

READ MORE: Historic Dolphin Hotel in Southampton High Street could be converted into student housing

Speaking at a meeting of the council's planning committee, a representative from the Old Town Community Forum said there was already too much student accommodation in the city centre.

“We understand that in some places, student accommodation is being rented to non-students, which may indicate that there is more accommodation than is needed," they said.

“Student density is a particular issue in the old town.

"If this is approved, there would be 532 student units from Bargate to Briton Street. This is a real lack of balance in the local community who want a diverse, exciting, well-lived city centre."

Jane Austen briefly lived in Southampton and went dancing at the Dolphin Hotel on her 18th birthday (Image: LDRS)

Another objector claimed the council was not interested in the city's history and culture.

But John Steven, speaking on behalf of the applicant, Dolphin Hotel Property (DHP), said the company wanted to protect and preserve the building, which was "really suffering".

Mr Steven said: "We looked at everything, and this is the only option we found to generate enough money to invest in the property."

READ MORE: Objector says plan to turn Dolphin Hotel into student housing amounts to 'sacrilege'

Planning officers said the proposal would retain the nature of the building, adding: "This is the best use. It is not going to result in any historic changes or have any visible impact on the conservation area.

"This is a really good retention, and the council will work with the applicant to make sure there is no loss of important features."

DHP said they would allow the public to access the dining area at weekends. They would also explore the possibility of using the site as a hotel again when the universities were on holiday.

Cllr Christian Cox said the provision of extra student accommodation would free up existing homes, allowing more families to live in the city.

The four-storey hotel was recently used by the Home Office to house asylum seekers.

Section 106 agreements are legally-binding obligations by an applicant to limit the impact of a proposed development.