Plan to build six flats beside former Savoy Cinema in Totton

Members of New Forest District Council (NFDC) are being urged to approve the latest application to redevelop vacant land next to the old Savoy picture palace in Junction Road, Totton.

In December last year the council approved plans for a two-storey building containing four flats.

Now MYA Property Ltd says it wants to make better use of the land by constructing a three-storey complex containing five two-bedroom flats, plus a one-bedroom flat and a cycle store.

Totton and Eling Town Council has lodged an objection to the proposal, siting the "very high" demand for parking in the area.

In a letter to NFDC the authority says it would be unacceptable to build extra housing without providing new parking in an area with no on-street spaces.

But members of the district council's planning committee are being recommended to approve the new proposal at their meeting next Wednesday.

A report to councillors says: "The site is constrained by a lack of car parking and its proximity to the Asda delivery yard, which weigh against the proposal.

"However, the negatives need to be weighed against the benefits.

"In this case, the site has been vacant for a number of years. The proposal would regenerate the site and create a development which would make a positive contribution to the street and provide much needed additional residential units.

"Totton town centre has a shortfall of flats and overall the district must meet housing needs.

"The proposal would provide social and economic benefits including employment for construction workers and increased spending in local shops.

"The proposal would also provide environmental benefits by making efficient use of land to provide housing in a sustainable location close to services and facilities. Moreover the proposal would bring forward an appropriate use of this vacant and derelict brownfield site.

"Overall it is considered that the benefits outweigh the negatives and the proposal is accordingly recommended for approval."

The Savoy opened in 1935 and showed the latest releases until it closed as a cinema in 1961. After being used to stage other forms of entertainment it became a factory in 1977 and was later turned into flats.

In 2015 tenants were moved out of the council-owned flats following the discovery of structural faults, plus problems relating to fire safety and asbestos.

Roxan Homes bought the site the following year and made the building safe. The newly-refurbished property was renamed The Old Cinema and now provides 21 apartments for rent.