PLANS for a new restaurant in Southampton have been unveiled.

A new Spanish tapas restaurant and bar could open in Oxford Street at the site once occupied by Prezzo Italian Restaurant.

The  restaurant and cafe would open from 9am to 11.30pm Monday to Sunday while the bar would open from 9am to midnight.

A total of six jobs would be created, according to the plans submitted to Southampton City Council by Dario Abreu.

The planning application reads: "The new proposal includes a cocktail lounge and tapas food at the ground floor with restaurant space at the first floor and the second floor to stay as it is staff room. We believe that the new establishment will be compatible within the Oxford Street location and vision, and will add positively to its vitality and viability. The intention is to provide a safe and friendly environment for the enrichment of the local community."

The proposals have sparked mix views among residents.The City of Southampton Society supported the plans but two residents raised concerns over opening hours and noise.

In a comment to the plans, resident Colin Beaven said: "It's good to see a proposal to use this site. But the opening hours need review. The applicant wants to open the bar until midnight every day. That's too late given the large residential component in the local area. The operating hours need to be limited to 11.30 pm at the latest for both the restaurant and the bar."

Bargate Cllr Sarah Bogle, inset, said : "The key issue seems to be the opening hours and impact on nearby residents. A previous application with longer opening hours was rejected last year, so my main concern will be ensuring the noise impact will be minimised.  The tapas bar concept sounds like something that could work in this lovely street."

As previously reported, last summer civic chiefs refused plans for a new restaurant at the site. At the time permission was sought for a restaurant to remain open until 11.30pm and for a bar to open from 4pm to 2am.

But planning bosses were told that according to a council policy, restaurants and bars in Oxford Street are only allowed to remain open until midnight and the plans were therefore rejected.