Woolston Riverside given green light (From Daily Echo)
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Woolston Riverside given green light
4:56pm Monday 18th August 2008 in News
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 1,620 homes on the site of the former VT shipyard in Southampton have today been passed by city councillors.
After a six hour, specially-convened meeting, councillors approved the new masterplan for the site and gave the go ahead for the first phase of the works - 160 homes, a supermarket and a 100-bed hotel.
Around a dozen campaigners, including members of the Woolston Community Association, publicly slammed the plans on behalf of the 1,640 objectors - thought to be a record number of complaints for the city.
See a gallery of artist's impressions of what the site will look like
They claimed the development tried to cram in too many homes - most are flats - would create traffic congestion and parking chaos, and the height of the proposed three-waterfront towers, rising up to 25 storeys, would dominate the landscape.
They also complained about a lack of genuine public consultation.
Architects for the developer, Crest Nicholson, hailed it as a "fantastic unique development" that would revitalise Woolston, create jobs and also "create a real identity and lasting legacy for Southampton".
Councillors said they were largely hamstrung by the principles of a previously approved vision for the site, by world-renowned architect Richard Rogers two years ago.
A majority of four to two councillors on the planning committee voted in favour of the latest scheme, citing an increase in family homes and a lower density of housing.
They also gave the go ahead for American boat builder Palmer Johnson to start building 100m long yachts on the site.
According to the city council the total worth of the two developments is £500m.
Councillor Royston Smith, council boss for economic development, said: "Centenary Quay will be quite simply magnificent for Woolston and the city.
The Crest Nicholson application features high quality design, but we must ensure that it is appropriate to the existing surroundings.
"I do not want to see overdevelopment and impacts on parking, transport and vehicular movements for Woolston.
"For this reason I objected to the residential part of the Crest Nicholson application".
Cllr Smith added: "We are delighted to welcome Palmer Johnson to the City. This well established and prestigious company join the growing list of those choosing Southampton as their base from which to do business.
"The council has always held a shared vision with SEEDA to see Woolston Riverside regenerated and revitalised.
"With the Marine Employment Quarter also going ahead the city has just taken a giant leap towards a new era of economic growth.
"Despite the global credit crunch, Southampton continues to defy the odds with a string of massive developments planned for the city. IKEA is opening in the spring, plans are gathering steam for Watermark West Quay and work only recently began on East Park Terrace - a £110 million development which will see homes, offices and hotels built."
