Homes plan for former school field approved

A plan for 84 homes on a field behind a closed private school has been given the go-ahead, almost a year after a council turned it down.

Developer Sovereign Network Group first applied to build the mix of houses and flats on the land behind the former St Mary's College in Midanbury Lane, Southampton, in 2022.

Southampton City Council rejected the project in March 2024, partly because of its design and the loss of open space.

But a planning inspector found the field lacks public access and building the homes would help the government's objective of "significantly boosting supply".

Inspector John Longmuir said the area was "not a key open space" and the benefits of the homes would outweigh the negative impacts.

The Grade II listed St Mary's College building is nearby but Mr Longmuir found the development would cause "less than substantial harm" to it.

The site will be used to build 52 houses and 32 flats, along with other parking and landscaped and play areas.

St Mary's College closed in 2020 and was replaced on part of its former site by a special school, Yarrow Heights.

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