Development of Ordnance Survey building given go-ahead

Proposals to develop the former home of Ordnance Survey in Southampton have been given the green light, southampton.gov.uk reports.

An initial request to turn the site on Romsey Road into 306 homes was refused by planning committee members, who feared it would be too much for the building and local area to accommodate effectively. In response, developer Taylor Wimpey reduced the number to 193, which saw its proposals accepted.

Despite still raising concerns over the limited number of parking spaces available to those who move in to the new homes, the council committee voted unanimously to agree to the plans.

The multi-million project will see the Ordnance Survey office transformed after it was left empty when the firm moved to Nursling in 2011. The first round of developments will see work undertaken on the Grade II-listed Crabwood House, which is thought to boast the last remaining Victorian conservatory in Southampton.

Family houses make up the majority of the development, with 113 of the 193 being tailored for family usage. Of these, 15 will be two-bed, 63 will be three-bed and 33 will be four-bed homes. The remaining 80 properties will be flats that may be offered up to letting agents in due course, allowing them to take advantage of the city's booming rental sector.

The proposals also included enough space for 230 parking spaces, which equates to 1.2 per household. The development will be finished off with open space and a children's play area, dailyecho.co.uk reports.

Posted 23-04-2012
Author: David Howells