PLANS for a 600-bed student block in a quiet residential lane in Winchester have been put on hold, but residents say they are still “apprehensive”.

The University of Winchester had been discussing plans, alongside developer Gilltown, for the accommodation which would see four homes demolished in Milnthorpe Lane, but the university has decided to push the pause button on the scheme until the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is clear.

The proposal had sparked backlash from residents on the private road who have seen their surroundings change over the past decade as the university’s main campus in Sparkford Road continues to expand.

Residents say that at the last neighbourhood liaison meeting those behind the plans said that they could not promise that the student block will “never happen”.

Jane Penty, who lives in Milnthorpe Lane, said: “We were delighted to hear that currently the university is not currently in a position to go ahead with the 600-bed development only a few meters away from where we live on Milnthorpe Lane - a quiet residential lane. But given that this has been hanging over the residents for over two years since we first got wind of it in January 2018, we are still very apprehensive.”

Nearby resident Alison Dudgeon said: “We wouldn’t have wanted a pandemic to stop the university’s constant expansion and intrusive expansion. Milnthorpe Lane is a family area, it is a very nice residential area with lovely gardens and we are very pleased that it has been put on hold for the foreseeable future, but it would have been very nice for the university to put it on hold without a pandemic.”

The scheme is being led by the developer Gilltown, and residents say that they do not know whether the company will proceed with some sort of development.

Mrs Penty said: “Even if the university themselves does not go ahead with plans, we do not know what the developer Gilltown has in mind for the site, given that they still have options for development over all four properties in question, one of which the university owns. So, until we are certain that any development would be compatible with a quiet residential lane, which student accommodation and university activity has not proven to be over the last decade, we will not rest easy.”

A university spokesperson said: “The university is not in a position to progress this scheme at this time: the decision has been deferred until the impact of Covid-19 and how it impacts the student residential market can be better understood. No final decision has been taken on this scheme.

“No final decision has been taken. The land owned by the university is only a small part of the overall site. If the development does not progress in the future then a decision will be taken on the land ownership.”

With a reduction in Government funding per student planned for September 2022 and decreasing tuition fees, residents say that Covid will not be the only factor affecting the university’s decisions over the next few years and therefore any need for more student housing in Winchester.

During discussions surrounding the development residents raised concerns about antisocial levels of noise and climate and environmental destruction.