The floating red hulk

What the 55-year-old former Surrey resident did not expect was a floating four-storey accommodation block moored outside his luxury home in Pacific Close.

Now, Mr Russell and local residents are demanding to know when the eyesore will be moved from the harbour by port bosses.

They have written to Associated British Ports (ABP) demanding to know when the accommodation block will be removed but have so far drawn a blank.

Mr Russell told the Daily Echo the block had ruined the view of the harbour from the kitchen of his second-floor flat.

He said: "When the tide is lower it is not too bad but when it is high it blocks the light out completely. We used to be able to spot Queen Mary 2 and QE2.

"I accept that Southampton is a working docks but this thing is nothing like a boat. The main complaint we have is that this thing has destroyed the view. People used to come and look over the water, now they can't see anything. It's an eyesore."

Nick Forman from the Pacific Close Residents' Association added that residents were worried that the block would stay moored at the site indefinitely.

He said: "We are concerned that it is going to stay there for quite a period of time. It is blocking out people's light.

"It is like somebody putting an office block outside somebody's home without planning permission.

"It is not just residents were are concerned about. This is quite a picturesque spot that people came to visit.

"Now all visitors can see is this big red hulk."

A spokesman for ABP could not be specific about how long the barge would remain moored at Ocean Village but said it should be gone fairly soon.

She said: "The Port of Southampton is a busy commercial port and is currently providing a commercial mooring for a floating accommodation barge at berth 29. There are no residents on board the vessel.

"We do not expect this vessel to remain in the port long-term."