Southampton City Renaissance – developing its future

Southampton has ambition - a vision to bring exciting development opportunities to developers and occupiers ‘to deliver the very best for its residents, businesses and visitors and a city comparable with the best in Europe.’ Southampton City Renaissance is the key to making this happen.

The future plans for the new look city that is emerging was show cased on Thursday 13 November at Southampton’s City Vision Centre based in the award winning City Art Gallery.

Cllr Royston Smith, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, met with some of the UK’s leading property professionals as well as some local businesses to discuss the development plans which will bring £1.7 billion of investment into the city and create or safeguard nearly 6,000 jobs.

Southampton City Council’s ambition is to create a vibrant, exciting, well designed and maintained city for those who live, visit and work in Southampton. About 80% of the proposed developments are continuing according to plan, and the remainder are still expected to happen but have experienced some delays due to uncertainties with the global economic climate. The council is keen to offer full support for its new development and occupiers’ opportunities and does all in its power to maintain good working relationships with property developers, architects, commercial agents and local businesses.

Cllr Royston Smith, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, commented, “Southampton City Council is continuing to support its vision for the city and there are a number of exciting developments which are progressing well that will make Southampton one of the leading cities in the country. There is continued confidence in Southampton and the city council will continue to work with developers and their partners to support their development schemes.”

The new Southampton City Renaissance document was distributed at the event and was well received by all who attended. The document highlights about 15 development schemes that are either currently underway or at the planning stages, such as the new Regional Business Centre which is to replace the former C&A store due to be demolished soon. In addition the City Renaissance document gives brief details of sites which offer exciting opportunities for future development, including Lower High Street which is currently being marketed.

Image shows: Cllr Royston Smith with Paul Grover, Chief Executive - The Solent Centre for Architecture & Design, by the Southampton City Vision Model.
Image copyright: Southampton City Council

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