A FORMER Southampton pub will finally become flats at the seventh time of asking.

Since closing, in 2011, the Lord Palmerston, in Palmerston Road, Bargate, has been touted for a variety of uses including student accommodation, halls of residence

and flats, and all have been rejected.

Now developers Concept Design & Planning has successfully been granted permission to create 10 flats at the site for its client known only as Mr Bajar.

The proposals it outlines how the existing site will be transformed into five studio, four one-bedroom and one-two bedroom flats, with associated cycle and refuse storage.

It said: “The application creates 10 x residential unit within the existing built form.“The proposed accommodation is suited to young professionals or students seeking a ‘low carbon’ lifestyle as the site is located in central Southampton, close to shops, universities and rail services.”

It added: “The council has a thrust at present to bring empty properties back to life, such proposals should therefore be approved in a timeous manor. “The proposal would be in keeping with the site and surrounding properties and would not have a harmful impact on the amenities of the neighbouring properties.”

It was reported in 2011 that the site would be bulldozed after its owners The Wellington Pub Company, failed to find a new tenant to take over the building.

The pub had been run by popular city landlord Steve Dockrell, 55, who died suddenly from meningitis in 2009.

Despite the new plans, some residents are still unsure about what the new accommodation will do to the road.

Daniel Brooks, of Palmerston Road, said: “I am concerned about the potential increase in noise pollution, but that will be an issue with any proposed development.”

Richard Webb, of Palmerston Road, added: “There is limited parking as it is let alone constructing a further 10 flats.“This building should either be kept as a single dwelling or of a retail nature. The proposal will also bring further unwanted noise.”