LONG-AWAITED plans for a £150m extension to Southampton’s WestQuay shopping centre, including what could become the city’s tallest building, were approved by councillors this morning.

Six of the seven councillors voting on the masterplan gave it the thumbs up.

Restaurants, major new shops, a hotel and a luxury cinema alongside a landmark tower block up to 27 stories high, or 95m, are planned for the desolate ten-acre plot.

Outline planning permission has now been granted - so the landmark tower which makes a key part of the development could be between 14 and 27 storeys tall.

Property giant Hammerson said its Watermark WestQuay development will create around 1,000 new leisure and retail jobs for the city – although admits it will not start work until the economy picks up.

Hammerson project manager Russell Beresford said he was "delighted" with the decision.

"We are continuing our discussions with retailers and leisure operators so we are in a positive position to advance the scheme when conditions improve," he said.

"We remain committed to the development and Watermark WestQuay will continue our successful investment in the city, ensuring Southampton remains a vibrant retail and leisure destination."

He said detailed planning applications would be submitted later this year and he hoped to start construction in the next 18 to 24 months.

Councillor Royston Smith, cabinet member for economic development said: "This is another important step towards a visionary new development that will truly be worth waiting for.

"Whilst times may be bleak, we will do all we can to move this remarkable project forward until there is a new jewel in Southampton’s crown.

He added: "This is the chance we have been waiting for to transform this site into one of the most exciting and attractive new mixed-use developments in the UK.

Nick Farthing from the Southampton & Fareham Chamber of Commerce said the development would "add another dimension to the city experience" and bring a welcome "open air style and function to the city experience with top class retail, leisure and dining which is missing at present".

He added: "An improved retail offer, new restaurants and cafes, a public piazza and park will add a quality evening dimension to Southampton city centre which is currently lacking for families.

"Jobs and training for local people and a new cinema nearer to the city centre will all help Southampton to compete with other centres in the region and become a venue of choice."

But some residents, the Southampton Commons and Parks Protection Society, and the city council’s own tree officers objected to the proposals which would see the majority of a line of 30 trees along Western Esplanade cut down.

They claimed the trees provide an important visual amenity and their loss would have a detrimental effect on the local environment.

However councillors said they believed the economic benefits of the development outweighed the loss of the trees.

English Heritage had initially raised concerns about the development next to the medieval Old Town Walls, a scheduled ancient monument and Grade I-listed structure, but said these had mostly been allayed.

Hammerson says a public plaza will encourage visitors and residents to celebrate the heritage of the town walls while providing an attractive focal space for events.

The firm said Watermark WestQuay would have an “extremely positive impact on Southampton and its future, helping to provide a city

target="_blank">environment that serves the needs of its people and brings a new vibrancy to its atmosphere and economy.”

Project director Carolyn Kenny said there would be an overall net increase in greenery on the site.

She said an environmental impact assessment which considered the condition and merit of the trees on the site found none were protected and concluded most were “from an arboricultural and/or landscape perspective of low quality and value”.

Two high-quality London Planes trees next to The Quay’s Swimming and Diving Centre will be retained as part of the proposed new pocket park.

Initial regeneration plans for the wasteland at WestQuay included an indoor arena, regional casino and ice pad.

But cruise giant Carnival has since built new office headquarters on part of the land. And a £35m development by Development Securities will complete the transformation of the plot with another hotel, offices and shops.