Plans to demolish a car showroom to make room for student accommodation have sparked mixed reactions.

Fortitudo and Petra Development want to knock down the "redundant" building on St Denys Road and replace it with two three-storey buildings.

These will house 61 studio student apartments and communal facilities.

The University of Southampton's Highfield Campus is an 18-minute walk away.

Previous plans for a similar development in November 2022 were rejected by Southampton City Council, who said the accommodation would look "unduly dominant" on the road.

However, Fortitudo's planning, design, and access statement says the 2024 plans have "significantly reduced" the scale of development.

They also highlight lift access will be available after previous travel concerns under the Equalities Act.

The proposed development has generated a mixed response from residents.

Many people have voiced their concerns about the increasing number of student accommodations in the city.

READ MORE: Car showroom on the chopping block could be replaced by student accommodation

Beckie Painton said: "New student apartments are very expensive to stay in.

"Building more doesn't free up the HMOs for families because they are more affordable to your average student."

Tracey Romeril said: "Soon the locals won't have anything and all these students do is cause havoc in the city centre, they are so noisy and have no respect."

Another resident, Martyn Hay, questioned: "Do we really need any more?"

Debbie Cook said: "Needed, I don't think so."

Concerns were also raised about the lack of affordable housing in the city.

Others, however, see the development as a positive step towards reducing the housing demand from students.

Jamie Hankins said: "Thank God something is happening with that site... it's been sitting vacant and undeveloped for years.

"Time to put that land to use, and if it can soak up some of the housing demand from students, then that will be good."

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Another commenter, Scott Lendon, said the development could free up family homes currently occupied by students.

He said: "Good, then some of the houses can be freed up for families once again.

"Far too many three plus bedroom houses being used for students when families of four plus people are sharing one or two bedroom flats."

Jamie Hankins said: "It's funny that this article is about adding 61 new homes to Southampton by replacing a disused car showroom (that was housing no one) and people are acting like it's bad news for non-students."

The development plans are currently under consideration by Southampton City Council.