Plans to demolish a student housing accommodation due to “fire impairment issues” and replace it with a larger “landmark” building have been approved.

Unite Students said it was “unviable” to remedy the problems with the existing Mercury Point block in Southampton.

The city council’s planning and rights of way panel was told the issues were not like a cladding remediation project as they ran “much deeper” through to the steel frame of the 16-storey block.

Councillors unanimously approved the planning application for the site in Duke Street.

Once complete, the new “landmark” building of up to 21 storeys will house 783 students across 166 studio flats and 84 cluster flats, with increased private amenity space.

Katy Snodgrass, design and planning architect at Unite Students, said: “The redevelopment of Mercury Point creates an exciting opportunity to regenerate the site and provide a best in class student accommodation development.

“The new Mercury Point will provide an opportunity to create an exciting new landmark building in the city.”

She told the panel the “fire impairment issues” were not fully realised when Unite Students purchased the building, which is only around 20 years old.

Ms Snodgrass said the purpose-built student accommodation owner, manager and developer had been in ongoing conversations with the fire service.

An interim position has seen Mercury Point continue to operate with safeguards in place.

The building will close this summer ahead of the redevelopment.

The new block will have space for 221 more students than the current accommodation.

University of Southampton is supportive of the scheme, the panel was told.

The proposal has been designed so it can be converted to normal residential housing if student demand in the city falls.

Michael Brennan, resident of neighbouring Empress Heights, objected to the application.

He said there would be a 40 per cent increase in student numbers and the proposal failed to comply with planning policy on respecting existing residential amenity.

Mr Brennan said: “We advocate for a redesign that reduces the building height, reconsiders the entrance location and assesses the noise impact.

“By doing so, we can maintain Southampton’s appeal as a great place to live.”

Concerns were also raised by Ralph White, trustee of charity Soco Music Project, which offers music therapy, rehearsing and a recording studio at a unit nearby in Terminus Terrace.

He said neurodivergent users of the charity’s services could be adversely impacted by disruption during the demolition and construction.

Mr White said they did not have a financial budget to relocate during the redevelopment work.

He asked councillors to ensure the developer worked to address their observations.

Panel member Cllr Sue Blatchford said she had concerns about why the building could not be refurbished but said if there was something in the core that could not be dealt with then demolition had to take place.

She said: “I think hopefully now with all the changes within the fire regulation side whatever is built in its place will be much safer for students or residents in the future.”