A FOUR-star landmark hotel in Southampton could be in line for more design changes after development costs soared.

New costings are being prepared for the 15-storey glass-sided hotel, which is due to be built jutting out into the water at Ocean Village.

The iconic development, which is intended as the focal point of the marina, complete with a water's edge events piazza, could now be in line for a remodel.

Changes in tax rules and ballooning costs of building materials have combined to make developer MDL look again at the project.

The company said it was too early to discuss the extent of the changes.

The 225-bedrooms were all to have marina views and guests were to be treated to hotel facilities such as a waterside restaurant and bars with external terraces. The marina plans by MDL also included conferencing facilities for more than 650 people.

MDL hoped to use the development to lure back big-name ocean races and events like the Global Challenge, which was lost to Portsmouth.

The hotel, approved by planners in April, was supposed to be under way in May this year, and open in early 2009, but work has stalled.

The city council has confirmed the specifications for the hotel are now being reviewed by the developer and a new planning application is expected next year.

Royston Smith, the city council's Cabinet member for economic development and the city's newly-appointed "design champion", told a scrutiny meeting he hoped the new design would be an improvement and the issue needed to be watched closely.

He added: "We want something the area deserves and need to use our influence to make sure that happens."

Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Adrian Vinson said he had been disappointed that the approved hotel design had been "striking rather than iconic."

MDL finance director Alan Chater said: "The changes may be as mundane as revising the back of house and the basement facilities. It's too early to say at this moment.

"We are committed to putting a quality hotel on the site."

MDL, Europe's largest marina operator with 19 sites, bought the freehold for the 59-acre Ocean Village site from Southampton docks owners Associated British Ports in 2000 as part of a £7.7m land sell-off by the port owner.