CIVIC bosses in Southampton have put a key waterfront site up for sale.

They hope a housing, leisure and business complex at Chapel Riverside will kick-start widespread redevelopment of the Itchen waterfront.

The site – otherwise known as Town Depot – has previously been used as the city council’s waste and recycling centre, and was earmarked as the site of a snowdome.

But that scheme was scrapped by Labour council chiefs last year, who said they wanted any development at the site to be focused around marine activities.

Over the coming decades they see the area between St Mary’s Stadium and Ocean’s Village as key to fulfilling their ambitious growth plans for Southampton.

The 8.9-acre site is a key component of their city centre master plan, which is the vision for how they want Southampton to develop over the next 17 years.

Although it was once the site of one of the city’s earliest settlements, Chapel Riverside is now largely empty, although it features temporary car parking for the city port and several Southern Water facilities.

With its riverside location, council chiefs say that any use of the site near the Itchen Bridge must feature maritime employment.

Their vision for the site features maritime employment, housing, bars, restaurants, and leisure and recreational uses.

Any development will also have to include public access to the waterfront, and to preserve views of the river and maritime activities.

And it is hoped that redevelopment at Chapel Riverside will lead to renewed interest from developers in the neighbouring wharf sites.

Southampton City Council leader Simon Letts said: “I am delighted that we are now starting the process to develop the Itchen Riverside.

“Although the project is in its infancy, I am sure we will attract a lot of positive interest and secure a developer committed, like me, to bringing jobs and homes to the city.

“We will ensure that whatever is proposed will include full public access to the waterfront.

“We are seeking to attract a range of high-tech marine activities that compliment and support existing businesses and make best use of the riverside setting.

“These will sit alongside well-designed high-quality homes that have good links to the city centre and south towards the water sports clubs and Ocean Village

Potential developers can find out more by visiting chapelriverside.co.uk.