An application has been lodged seeking prior approval to change the use of the upper floors at 400-402 Bitterne Road from commercial space to residential accommodation.
The proposal relates to the offices above the former Halifax bank, which the applicant says have stood empty since commercial use ended in June 2025.
According to planning documents, the owner has since taken possession of the entire building and previously secured planning permission to convert the ground floor banking hall into a restaurant.
The latest application would see the first and second floors transformed into two three-bedroom flats under permitted development rights, with no changes proposed to the building’s external appearance.
Planning documents say the conversion meets the national requirements for the change of use from commercial premises to housing.
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The flats would each exceed the minimum national space standards of 37 square metres and would be used as family homes or shared by no more than six people living together as a single household.
The application also states that part of the building would remain in commercial use, with the restaurant occupying the ground floor while the new homes would be located above.
Supporting documents say the scheme would provide two on-site parking spaces and sufficient room for cycle storage if required.
The plans also acknowledge the need for a clear refuse and recycling storage strategy to ensure bins do not obstruct the commercial frontage or the pavement along Bitterne Road.
In a letter submitted, the applicant states: “The commercial use of the building stopped back in June 2025 and has been redundant since that point.”
Southampton City Council will now consider whether the proposal meets the criteria for prior approval before a decision is made.
If approved, the conversion would bring two new family-sized homes to Bitterne High Street with a new restaurant at street level.