Plans to transform part of Southampton are scrapped
Multi-million pound plans to transform an area of Southampton have been scrapped but new proposals are being drawn up
The previously announced £30m plans for a leisure centre, a library and health services at Bitterne precinct will not go ahead, it has been confirmed.
But new proposals for the area are being drawn up and could be unveiled next spring.
What could be included in the new plans is not yet known.
City leaders said they remain committed to investing in the area but will look at what can be done with “less cost”.
Opposition bosses said they were “deeply disappointed” and feel that the east of the city is being “let down”.
The £30m proposals for the so-called Bitterne Hub were unveiled last year by the Labour administration.
But the scheme was reviewed by the newly elected Conservative administration after Labour lost control of Southampton City Council in May.
Council leader Cllr Daniel Fitzhenry has now confirmed that the £30m plans previously announced will not go-ahead.
But he added: “Labour’s £30m Bitterne Hub scheme will not be proceeding but we are looking at what we can do for significantly less cost and ensure we meet the needs of local residents accordingly. We believe we can get much better outcome for much less investment and use that money to focus on other significant priorities such as repairing roads and pavements and investing in Mayflower Park.”
He stressed that the council remains committed to investing in the area and making improvements.
When asked how much money the authority is planning to invest, Cllr Fitzhenry added: “We don’t have a figure because we are working out what’s needed. We are at design stage. Once we have got a plan we will go out to consult with people. ”
Cllr Sarah Bogle, shadow cabinet member for planning, said the £30m scheme should be considered on its merits.
She said: “We feel that the administration is letting down the east of the city. We are deeply disappointed that they are not taking these plans forward. I think they should re-look at the plans.”
She said that the east of the city needs investment.
Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith said the previous plans were “so complex that they were unlikely to be delivered”.
“The council concluded that with a re-think more can be achieved with less. I of course want to see investment in Bitterne but not if that excludes other worthy projects across my constituency and the city,” Mr Smith added.