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Pro Vision has applied, on behalf of Merlion Capital Partners, to construct the flats in Winnall, opposite the Royal Mail depot.
The building would house 336 students, with the application also covering the demolition of the existing building, alterations to access, parking, landscaping and associated works.
This is the second application to build student accommodation on land west of Winnall Manor Road in recent years, following one for a 158-bed block of flats in 2022. This previous application received approval in December last year, with conditions requiring subsequent reserved matters approval to address detailed design, landscaping, access, and materials before full planning permission could be granted. The site is currently a tool hire business.
Sam Feltham, chair of Winnall Forum, who campaigned against the 2022 proposal, voiced his concerns. He said: “My immediate thought is that it is twice as big as the original. That was 158-bed, and now it is 336. That is worrying. It is twice as big. And going off what we previously said, we accommodate a lot of students already.
“One of my biggest long-term worries is that Winnall Manor Road becomes a student village. With the Cavendish building and the depot, the area behind Winnall Manor Road could be impacted by this. It could be student accommodation creep. That is quite worrying. It backs onto the estate itself, and I have friends who live in that area. Unit 12 could be in danger as well.
“If it were built, there could be an increase in the number of students. I am not against students, but there needs to be a balance.”
Ward councillor for the area, John Tippett-Cooper, welcomed the application, arguing that it would relieve pressure on houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), and possibly get them back into circulation as family homes.
He said: “A key concern in Winnall is the number of HMOs which students tend to occupy, thereby taking them out of circulation as family homes. The positive news about this plan is that purpose-built student accommodation can relieve pressure on those HMOs and possibly get those properties back as family homes.
“The site in question has been derelict for some time and seems a good site just outside of the main residential area of Winnall for university accommodation, as long as issues like parking are carefully managed”
“Meanwhile, the commercial base in Winnall goes from strength to strength with new units recently opening for Pure Gym, ETC Autocentres and the Range. The Winnall local economy is really important and, while I have the chance, I’d strongly encourage everyone to go and visit the new Unit 12 community cafe too!”
More information about the application can be found by visiting the Winchester City Council online planning portal, and searching using reference 25/01563/OUT.
