I recently met with the Nicolas James Group to discuss progress on the Town Quay development — one of the most important city centre waterfront sites in Southampton.
I’m backing this development because Southampton needs more homes, more jobs and more ambition for our city centre.
The plans could deliver 460 new homes, a 128-bed hotel, new commercial space, an expanded marina, and improved public access to Southampton’s waterfront.
The economic benefits assessment for the scheme estimates that the development could represent around £235 million of construction investment, support around 1,300 person-years of local employment during construction, and generate around 270 permanent jobs for Southampton residents once operational. It is also estimated to add around £9 million a year to Southampton’s economy.
Town Quay has the potential to transform our waterfront, create a new iconic gateway for our city, and make a better first impression for the around 3 million cruise passengers who visit Southampton each year.
This is exactly the kind of development that can help bring growth into our city, support local businesses, and create new opportunities for local people.
At the meeting, I discussed the next steps needed to move the development forward, including the Transport and Works Act process currently with the Department for Transport. This process is needed to allow land to be formally transferred out of port use before the development can proceed.
I will be raising this with the Department for Transport and asking for progress to be checked and accelerated where possible.
With the Government investing millions into local colleges, including Southampton College, to boost construction training opportunities, major developments like Town Quay can help local people gain the skills they need and get back into work.
I’ll be doing what I can to support progress, help get this moving, and get spades in the ground.
Southampton has huge potential, and I want to see us build the homes, jobs and waterfront our city deserves.