Regeneration of part of Southampton moves a step closer

By Maria Zaccaro, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Multi-million pound plans to give an area of Southampton a new lease of life have moved a step closer.

Proposals to build 650 homes, two 150-room hotels, 80 serviced hotel apartments as well as a cinema, a casino, a central plaza, new restaurants, shops and 9,795sqm of office space at the Leisure World site, off West Quay Road, have been submitted to Southampton City Council.

A final decision on the £250m scheme is expected to be made in the first quarter of next year.

More than 1,000 jobs are set to be created as part of the project put forward by Sovereign Centros.

If approved, the scheme will be developed in four phases with work beginning in 2022.

The project will be part of the redevelopment of the so-called Mayflower Quarter – the area between Southampton Central Railway Station and the Mayflower Park.

The news has been welcomed by civic chiefs but it has also sparked some criticism.

John Marsh, director at Sovereign Centros, said: “There has never been such an important time to bring forward regeneration proposals in our regional cities to ensure they can emerge in the strongest possible position post the pandemic crisis. We fully understand the importance of the Leisure World site to the city, its waterfront, and its people. Our proposed development will bring significant investment to Southampton and will look to create a vibrant environment alongside the waterfront.”

According to the plans a total of 1,142 parking spaces – of which about 889 would be in a multi-storey car park – would be created at the site.

There would also be 866 long-stay and 284 short-stay cycle parking spaces.

As previously reported, the first phase of the new scheme would see a cinema, a casino, restaurants and one of the two hotels being built along West Quay Road.

The new offices and 325 homes would be built as part of phase two while a further 325 homes and the second 150-room hotel would be built as part of phase three.

Meanwhile, health and wellness facilities would be built as part of the last phase of the scheme, according to the developer.

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith said the project is “an ideal opportunity” to create jobs. Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, described it as “a great statement of faith in the city”. But he said he wants to ensure there will be “proper public space” and affordable homes.

The plans submitted to the council are an outline planning application which means that more detailed plans would be submitted in the future.

Bargate councillor Sarah Bogle said she welcomes the investment and has engaged in the pre-planning consultation.

“I think it’s fair to say there are mixed views from residents particularly in light of the new realities of our lives since Covid,” she added.

Opposition leader Cllr Dan Fitzhenry called on the council to bring forward more schemes like this.

It comes as the masterplan for the Mayflower Quarter is currently being prepared.

But Giles Semper, the chief executive of Go! Southampton, said integrating the plans for the Leisure World site with the wider masterplan for the Mayflower Quarter would be a “win win – for the developer and for the city”.

He said there is a risk that the plans just put forward might block other ideas that would come forward in the masterplan.

He added: “More A-grade office is needed if the city is to bring back the kind of exporting, high-skill, high-wage businesses that will fuel further growth in the city centre, retain graduates and raise aspirations for the city’s young people.”

The Leisure World site – which hosts businesses such as the Odeon cinema, Oceana nightclub and Grosvenor Casino – was first opened in 1997.