THE next phase of Southampton’s largest housing development is set to begin with the promise of hundreds of jobs.

Work will get under way within days at the Centenary Quay scheme in Woolston that will see 329 new homes, shops, cafes and restaurants built, along with a major supermarket.

It comes after a deal was struck between developers Crest Nicholson and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) for the third stage of the £500m riverside development on the former Vosper Thornycroft shipyard.

An estimated £61m of private sector investment will now be unlocked, which will pave the way for up to 300 new retail, leisure and construction jobs.

Morrisons supermarket, which will employ more than 200 people, has agreed a long lease for a 60,000 sq ft store.

Crest Nicholson Regeneration managing director Debbie Aplin said: “It is great news that Morrisons has come onboard.

“This is an important phase of the development as it includes not only a new supermarket, providing local employment opportunities, but also 329 new homes, of which 72 are affordable, and a new public plaza with bars and cafes, which all assist in the regeneration of the area.

“These aspects of the proposals gained substantial support at the public exhibition last year.

“We maintain the commitment of all parties concerned, the HCA, the local authority, local registered housing providers and ourselves to the community of Woolston and Southampton.

“We are looking forward to completing this very exciting next phase of Centenary Quay.”

Already more than 300 homes have been built on the 31-acre site of the former Vosper Thorncroft (VT) shipyard, which closed in 2004 and relocated to Portsmouth.

Work started two years ago after the former regional development agency Seeda paid £15m for the site.

Peter Cusdin, HCA development director, said: “Through our work to regenerate major projects across the country, we understand the importance of creating new jobs in communities like this.

“The employment and investment that will be created here are great news for the local area and a vital part of the continuing success of this exciting scheme.”