570-student bed tower unveiled for vacant Southampton city centre retail park site
Plans have been revealed for a huge 570-bed student housing development in the heart of Southampton city centre.
Aviva Investors has unveiled its proposals to transform the former Mamas & Papas site at West Quay Retail Park.
The scheme would see the Harbour Road plot redeveloped into a purpose-built accommodation block for university students.
Images of the plans show the scheme towering above neighbouring Westquay Shopping Centre and the Marlands multi-storey car park.
Neil Dobson, director of transactions for Aviva Investors, said: “We are pleased to bring forward proposals for the former Mamas & Papas site at Harbour Parade, supporting the continued regeneration across this part of the city and helping it get ready for the future.
“We believe it has the potential to make a positive contribution by delivering high-quality, well-managed student accommodation on an important site, close to Southampton’s universities, public transport links, shops, services and leisure facilities.
“We are keen to hear from local residents, businesses, students and stakeholders as the plans continue to develop.”
Aviva Investors said its student accommodation scheme is separate from proposals being brought forward for the nearby Toys ‘R’ Us site by sister company Aviva Capital Partners, the city council and the University of Southampton.
Mamas & Papas vacated the store last year, moving to a new unit on the retail park in October.
The proposed scheme includes a mix of student beds, shared social and study spaces, and cycle parking.
Part of the building will be up to 11 storeys with roof terraces alongside a tower of up to 23 storeys.
An online consultation on the plans is open until Sunday, July 5, at southampton.your-feedback.co.uk
A drop-in session for the public to attend at the former Mamas & Papas unit has been organised on Thursday, June 25, from 4pm to 7pm.
The site is owned by Aviva Investors, which is the global asset management arm of Aviva plc.
It has a history of investing across Southampton, including West Quay Retail Park, IKEA and the Harbour Hotel in Maritime Walk.
Following the consultation, Aviva Investors said its team will take responses into account before submitting a planning application Southampton City Council.