News
Bold vision for Southampton unveiled
Monday November 4th, 2019
Southampton City Council has revealed the development of a dynamic vision for Mayflower Quarter.
The 84 hectare area is one of the largest city centre regeneration opportunities in the UK, extending from Southampton train station to the waterfront, and will be a pivotal step in the city becoming a global destination. The move reinforces the city’s status as the economic powerhouse of the south coast and firmly establishes Southampton on the global stage.
The plans to transform this key area in the city centre are truly ambitious. Providing world class facilities for business, homes, retail and leisure, the mixed use re-development will also re-connect an area of prime waterfront with the city centre. The development is well positioned to take advantage of the transport links nationally and internationally via Southampton Central Station, Southampton Airport, the Port of Southampton and the national road network.
Featuring cutting-edge design, Mayflower Quarter will promote urban living and working; where residents will have the opportunity to enjoy retail, leisure, open spaces, culture and hospitality within the same central location. It will also create opportunities for future generations and will help to attract and retain talent and businesses. This will be aided by the high priority that will be given to environmental sustainability and a focus on the attraction of innovative and creative businesses.
Master planners will be appointed in January 2020 to help realise the vision. The preparation of the masterplan is expected to take up to 12 months, completing in December 2020 to coincide with the culmination of Mayflower 400 celebrations marking the journey of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower to the New World.
The masterplan will lay out a long-term vision, linking in with the city’s Local Plan which sets out the future development of new homes, work spaces and facilities across the whole of the city over the next 20 years and beyond. Investment in sustainable transport will be key to realising the vision. The Southampton City region is one of 12 areas shortlisted for a share of the national £1.2bn Transforming Cities Fund from the Department for Transport. A final bid will be submitted in November and will include projects that have the potential to transform the public realm in the city centre, connecting people with the places they live, work and go for leisure.
Southampton City Council is proud to be a partner of the inaugural South Coast Commercial Property Show, where there was the opportunity to share the recently unveiled plans for the former Toys R Us site and Nelson Gate, as well as the exciting Mayflower Quarter news.
