PLANS for a containers complex in Southampton have been given the go-ahead.

A food, retail and office complex is to be created at College Street Car Park in the city centre.

Part of the car park off College Street will host a number of converted shipping containers that would be used for retail, food and drink uses as well as offices and studios for artists.

The plans put forward by Matthew Sanger were approved by the Planning and Rights of Way Panel at Southampton City Council on Tuesday night.

Members were told that some residents raised concerns over the proposal and the impact  on parking, noise and litter.

But planning officers said the proposed use of the site “is compliant with the range of uses that would be suitable” within that area.

“There’s sufficient parking retained and the scheme is supported in principle,” a planning officer said. As reported, 95 car parking spaces will be retained and 70 parking spaces will be lost.

Talking to the panel, Mr Sanger said: “ We want to provide a space that is an incubator for start-up businesses with great ideas and once established we do hope that they would move onto other places in the city taking up these spaces on the High Street. Our ambition is to make a dynamic contribution to the city.”

He said the proposals have also been supported by businesses in Oxford Street.

Cllr Hannah Coombs asked for more cycle parking on top of the 18 already proposed and both officers and the applicant committed to looking into increasing cycle parking at the site.

All members of the committee voted in favour of the scheme.

Cllr Sarah Vaughan described it as a “great asset” and a place where start-up businesses can collaborate with new people and establish their brand.

Cllr Lisa Mitchell, chair of the panel, said: “This is a quite exciting development for the city.I do understand concerns about disturbance but this is an urban are and this development will bring a lot of life and vibrancy to an urban area."