TALKING HEADS could be replaced by student flats upon closure

The Soton Tab can reveal that if the Talking Heads is to close, it will be replaced with a shop and 18 self-contained student flats.

The plans for the shop will be under A1 use and overcomes the previous loss of a community facility planning application refusal reason, therefore is expected to be supported by Southampton City Council.

The planned studio flats are to be larger than halls rooms, with a kitchen area and bathroom. Plans include an inside cycle store, a rear extension and in accordance again with council policy, 3 parking spaces only to be used on moving in and out days. The front of the property is hoped to be improved and replaced with planting typical of the Portswood area.

Owners within 200 metres of the site, the Talking Heads owner and the Leaseholder have all been consulted and agree to the plans stated above. Nearby residents will have the opportunity to comment also, however comments on the Southampton City Council planning application site have now been closed on the case. The proposals are a reaction to the current housing shortage in Southampton under the Council’s policy. Local residents have been campaigning against the loss of family houses to student lettings, therefore are expected to welcome this proposal as it reduces the reliance on family dwellings in the Portswood area.

Richard from The Talking Heads said:

We still have many years on our lease, with a first option for an extension upon the existing lease. The planning permission has been submitted, because when the venue last closed, the landowner was stuck with the land with no immediate prospect to develop it; at which point, fortunately, Mr. Benfield came in to take over the Talking Heads. This planning permission is simply a contingency plan. Naturally, all of this can be avoided if people keep visiting our much loved venue!

At the moment, there is no plans to close the popular music venue. The Facebook group Save Our Heads has been set up in reaction to the closure of the venue in February 2013.

The Soton Tab will report more on this story as we get it.