focus on southampton
also the role it plays in facilitating UK motor vehicle exports.
Dawn Baxendale, the City Council’s chief executive, commented: “I feel immensely proud of what we have achieved in Southampton and it’s been a real team effort, with the council, its partners, and the community we serve all working together.”
The Council is committed to maintaining the momentum beyond the VIP sites proposed in the Master Plan. Regeneration of Itchen Riverside, from the Itchen Bridge to Northam Bridge, has already commenced with Inland Homes waterfront developments on the west bank at Meridian Riverside and Chapel Riverside both under construction. On the eastern bank to the south of the Itchen Bridge, Crest Homes is continuing with its 1600 home Centenary Quay development and associated commercial development and Southern Water is completely rebuilding the adjoining Waste Water Treatment Plant.
US-owned GE Blade Dynamics hasrecently been granted planning permission for its new research and prototyping facility for a revolutionary new blade for the offshore energy industry. Even before commencing work on this development the company is proposing to submit a revised proposal that will also include test facilities for the new blades.
These developments will act as the catalyst for further regeneration on both banks of the River Itchen.
To the west of the existing city centre, plans are being put together to create a whole new neighbourhood that will provide for integrated residential, office and leisure uses stretching from the Central Station to the waterfront.
Under the working title of the Central Business District, this collection of development sites will build upon the recent investments that have created Westquay South, the Premier Inn and IKEA.
Beyond the city centre, redevelopment of the former Ford
site, close to Junction 5 of the M27 and Southampton Airport, is being undertaken by Mountpark. Phase 1 totalling 44,500 sq m will be complete and let by the end of 2017 and Inchcape has submitted a planning application for the development of a new JLR showroom to the west of Wide Lane. Adjoining the M271 west of Southampton, Peel Logisitcs is now on site with its 19,000 sq m logistics scheme with the first of the three units becoming available early in 2018.
Higher education and medical services are key features of the city’s economy. A new £25m Centre for Cancer Immunology will soon open at the University Hospital and will be the first dedicated cancer immunology centre in the UK, undertaking ground-breaking research into using the body’s immune system to eradicate cancer. Connected to leading institutions worldwide, this cutting-edge research hub will enable interdisciplinary teams to expand clinical trials, explore new areas and develop lifesaving drugs.
Very clearly the city is now regarded as somewhere that has fundamentally
Centenary Quay development
changed the way it is operating. There is interest from both across the UK and internationally relating to the new economic development opportunities in Southampton.
Specifically, investors want to know how the city has been promoted, how regulatory functions have been successfully utilised and how this success has been communicated. There is particular interest in how relationships have been forged with the private sector to change the face of the city.
The British Property Federation has been to Southampton with a raft of people to find out what has been done and are using the city as a case study to inform government policy.
There is a whole range of ingredients that make Southampton great. It’s in a great location, next to the famous waters of the Solent and close to the New Forest National Park. There’s fantastic heritage in the city and the cultural offer has been invested in heavily over the past few years.
There is a definite commitment to being a city that delivers a rich quality of life for the people who live and work here.
Dawn Baxendale’s message to investors, developers and business coming to Southampton is clear and simple: “This is a city where you can do business. We have the workforce, we have the facilities, the cultural background and accommodation. You can make your business grow here.”
The Spark
southampton.gov.uk THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SEPTEMBER 2017
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