'Statement' seafront development for Southampton gets go-ahead
Developers say refurbishing Town Quay will lead to over £230 million in benefits for the city
Last updated 5th Mar 2025
A “statement” development that will transform a Southampton waterfront site has been given the green light by councillors.
The Town Quay regeneration will deliver a five-star hotel, hundreds of flats, restaurants, bars, retail space and an expanded marina.
Developer Nicolas James Group saw its application, which will result in £235million of construction related-benefits, approved at a meeting of Southampton City Council’s planning and rights of way panel.
Nicolas Roach, group chairman of Nicolas James Group, said the site was “crying out for investment to provide quality access to the waterfront”.
Outlining the scheme, he said: “We have got a high-quality hotel and yes we have got residential towers and they are tall.
“They have come down a bit through the design process but we need an engine room to fund the very vast expenses that are required to pull this site back to where it needs to get to.”
The project is set to be delivered in two phases over four years.
The first will see the strengthening of the existing pier and construction of the hotel.
This will be followed by the installation of flood defence wave screens, increasing the berths in the marina to 300, relocation of the foot passenger ferry berths, land reclamation and the construction of the four residential blocks.
The hotel will offer 128 bedrooms and 18 serviced apartments, with a spa, restaurants, bars, conference facilities and a helipad on the roof.
A total of 460 flats will be spread across one seven-storey and three 25-storey blocks in the form of 55 one-bed, 372 two-bed and 33 three-bed apartments.
No affordable housing is included due to viability issues, while the developer will pay a £6million community infrastructure levy and £1.46million to achieve nutrient neutrality.
Speaking during the meeting on Tuesday, March 4, Alastair Welch, regional director of the Port of Southampton, said Town Quay was no longer suitable to support today’s merchant shipping.
He said: “We have been working with Nicolas James Group for over three years to progress this bold and ambitious project that we believe will create a destination that the city can be proud of.
“This scheme will also deliver a much-needed additional hotel accommodation as well as further housing for the city.”
Lucy Richmond, director of South Coast CPS, said the redevelopment of the site, which is currently owned by Associated British Ports, would be a “catalyst for change.”
The application had the support of City of Southampton Society, Southampton Common and Parks Protection Society, Bargate ward councillor Sarah Bogle and Southampton Itchen MP Darren Paffey.
Diana Callaghan, of Southampton Tourist Guides Association, spoke in opposition to the scheme.
She questioned the level of public engagement that had taken place, which was disputed by the applicant, a loss of light through shadowing from the 25-storey residential towers and overlooking.
Ms Callaghan said the proposal was “over development” and did not appear to be in keeping with listed buildings in the area.
Planning officers said a key element of the scheme was the introduction of a new boardwalk which would wrap around the marina, providing access to the waterfront.
Members of the panel had to consider the benefits of the scheme, which included a “significant” contribution to the city’s housing delivery, against the harm to the heritage assets in the area.
Cllr Sue Blatchford said: “All in all I did have my reservations about the impact on heritage assets but I think this will be quite a statement development on our waterfront which will enable residents and others a bit more access to actually look at what is going on on Southampton Water.”
The application was approved with five votes in favour and one abstention.
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