Plans to build two new family homes in a residential Southampton road have been approved by councillors.

The application from Paul West for land in Oaktree Road, Bitterne Park, went before Southampton City Council’s planning and rights of way panel after it received eight objections from residents.

There were also three submissions in support of the development.

Initial plans were for a terrace of three three-bed properties on the site, which is currently occupied by several outbuildings.

Council officers believed this would be an over development and harmful to the adjacent home at 61 Oaktree Road.

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The scheme was revised by the applicant to two detached three-bed houses.

A report to the panel by the planning case officer said: “The principle of new residential development is acceptable and the change of use and redevelopment of the site to provide family dwellings is a positive change.

“Whilst the coverage of the site by building and hard-surfacing will increase from the existing, when considered in the round with the other benefits of the proposal, this is considered to be acceptable.”

A bus stop directly outside the site will be relocated slightly.

One of the new homes will have two car parking spaces and the other will have one space.

The appearance of the homes was described as “simple” in the report.

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Both houses have a lounge, kitchen, study laundry and toilet on the ground floor, two bedrooms, one with an en-suite, and a bathroom on the first floor and the third bedroom with en-suite and dressing room on the second floor.

Residents who were due to speak against the scheme at the meeting on Tuesday, November 12, said their concerns had been resolved with the development downsizing to two properties, alongside some of the proposed planning conditions.

Panel member Cllr Sue Blatchford said the two homes were “far better” than what was previously proposed.

She said: “It is a change to actually have housing development and not flats.”

Chair Cllr Vivienne Windle said: “I like the idea of a run of houses there rather than what looks like an abandoned site of some sort and I welcome this development.”

Councillors approved the application in line with the recommendation of planning officers.