A senior councillor has expressed their relief to be “seeing the back” of developers who were unable to progress a key Southampton city centre regeneration scheme.
Cabinet members have approved terminating the planning development agreement for the Maritime Gateway.
Packaged Living currently holds the lease for the Toys R Us site and secured planning consent with Fiera Real Estate in 2022 for a huge mixed-use project featuring more than 600 flats, restaurants and shops.
However, the vacant retail building is still standing on the site with no signs of progress.
Councillors were told at meetings this week that a third-party joint venture was seeking to acquire the lease for the 4.8-acre plot between Harbour Parade and Western Esplanade.
Alongside exiting the development agreement with Packaged Living, cabinet approved entering into discussions with interested third parties and varying lease terms to progress alternative proposals.
The developers said they remain committed to securing the best outcome for the wider Southampton community.
Speaking at full council on Wednesday, March 26, Labour cabinet member for economic development Cllr Sarah Bogle said Packaged Living had done “simply nothing” towards delivering the approved scheme.
“They have sat on the site and done absolutely nothing,” Cllr Bogle said.
“We gave an extension last year. Everyone criticised that at the time and they are now exiting, that’s the plan.
“We now have some alternative proposals being negotiated.
“At this stage I can’t really explain too much detail because it is still in progress and confidential.
“I’m very hopeful that we can get a really positive development on this site.”
Liberal Democrat Cllr Sam Chapman highlighted the need for housing and asked what was going to be different in the new mixed use proposals.
Cllr Bogle said the city also needed “decent jobs” following a “significant decline” in recent years.
She said the Southampton Renaissance Vision identifies an innovation district in the area of the Toys R Us site.
“We are talking about high quality jobs and we are talking about a mixed use development,” Cllr Bogle said.
“I’m really hopeful that we can get housing as part of that mix but I wouldn’t say it’s the number one thing that’s driving this particular opportunity.”
She added: “I’m actually much more optimistic with the new things that are emerging because quite frankly that developer delivered nothing for our city and I’m very glad that we are going to see the back of them.”
At cabinet on Tuesday, March 25, Cllr Bogle said the regeneration could potentially bring employment and innovation to the site in partnership with others who are part of the city’s renaissance board.
Council leader Cllr Lorna Fielker said: “I’m sure many people will welcome that there is going to be movement on this going forward, particularly when you exit out of the train station on that side.
“I think it is exciting for us.”
A spokesperson for Packaged Living and Fiera Real Estate said they were in various discussions with the council and were exploring all options to enable the “important regeneration project” to advance.
“Having funded a multi-million pound planning consent for a visionary masterplan for Maritime Gateway, including a high-quality design for the International Maritime Promenade running from Southampton Central Station to Harbour Parade, macro-economic conditions have meant that the development has been challenging to deliver in more recent times,” the spokesperson said.
“However, Packaged Living and Fiera Real Estate remain committed to securing the best outcome for all stakeholders including the wider Southampton community.”
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