PLANS for a major media centre on the banks of the River Itchen in Southampton could be put on ice until regeneration chiefs find new funds.

City policymakers have been told a scheme to revamp part of Itchen Waterfront may have to wait until next year unless a developer can be found.

It is hoped the area can improve the eastern gateway to the city centre, create jobs and become one of the key locations for the development of the proposed Southampton Enterprise Hub.

City planners want the area to become a centre for media organisations based around Meridian TV studios. However, government regeneration body SEEDA is unable to buy all the necessary land until after April 2001.

Southampton City Council Leader's Advisory Board agreed, in consultation with SEEDA, to form a partnership with a developer to try to accelerate the scheme and publish a development brief for the site at Drivers Wharf.

Councillor John Arnold, executive member for strategic and economic development, said: "If we are to progress this scheme - and clearly it's incredibly important to the economy and the city that we do - the only option is to obtain a developer."

A spokesman for Meridian said: "We would welcome other media. It would be something that relates to our interest and we welcome that."

The recommendation has to go before the council's corporate committee today.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.