MORE than 220 new jobs could be created in plans for a huge warehouse complex in Southampton.

The proposals, at the former Daily Echo offices on Yeoman Industrial Park, in Redbridge, will be heard by planners on June 1.

If the plans are approved, the existing buildings would be demolished to make way for three new warehouses set to be used for “ industrial, storage and distribution purposes”.

The scheme - put forward by Salmon Development Limited - is expected to create 224 full-time jobs.

It comes as a total of 16,119 sq.m of new commercial floorspace would be provided.

A new access from Test Lane as well as 210 parking spaces would also be created, according to the plans.

But a number of concerns have been raised.

In a statement Redbridge councillors Catherine McEwing and Sally Spicer and former councillor Lee Whitbread said: “The decision to include two points of access to the site would further increase the loss tree coverage in an area which already suffers disproportionately from poor air quality and would increase disruption to both pedestrians and cyclists. 

"Careful consideration should therefore be given to design the access point in such a way that prevents vehicles turning right in to the site off Test Lane and prevent, both cars and lorries, turning left out of the site.”

It comes as part of the plans 320 of the existing trees would be axed and replaced by 1,219 new trees.

Planners said there would be “an overall gain in the amount of hedgerows and trees”.

The plans are recommended for approval.

In official documents published ahead of the meeting , planning bosses said the plans would provide “a modern and attractive warehouse” that would create new jobs and benefit the local economy.

They added: “The effect on the existing landscaping and vegetation is

considered to be suitably mitigated. The proposal has been designed to minimise its impact on nearby residential properties and includes physical measures to ensure the routing of commercial vehicles entering and leaving the site avoids residential streets to the south.”

The meeting of the Planning and Rights of Way Panel at Southampton City Council will be held on June 1 at 2pm. Salmon Development Limited has been approached for comment.

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t: 02380424416

e:maria.zaccaro@dailyecho.co.uk