Employment building at Marine Employment Quarter Keel Road, Southampton

The site and surroundings

The vacant one-hectare site is allocated for marine employment, beside an industrial facility, residential buildings, the river and the deep-water quay.

“The proposal site forms part of the Marine Employment Quarter (MEQ) at Centenary Quay, allocated for maritime based research and development and light industrial uses which require access to the waterfront under policy MSA18 of the Local Plan Review. The site was previously occupied for shipbuilding from the early 20 th century until the closure of Vosper Thorneycroft (Vospers) in 20023.”

“There is a change in level with a landscaped embankment from Victoria Road (11m Above Ordnance Datum (AOD) down to 5.2m AOD on the site). Site access is taken from Keel Road.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Four residents objected over daylight, noise, drainage, privacy, wildlife, traffic and technical noise matters; consultees generally supported approval subject to conditions.

“The application is supported by a noise assessment which demonstrates that the operational phase of the development will not give rise to unreasonable noise disturbance having regard to the historic employment use on this site, land allocation and operational controls and mitigation through building layout and design. No objection is raised by the Council’s Environmental Health Officer and the recommendations of the noise report can be secured by planning conditions.”

“Environment Agency No objection subject to conditions relating to land contamination remediation because the site is situated over an aquifer. Informatives also requested in relation to flood risk SCC Land Contamination No objection No objection subject to conditions to secure appropriate land contamination investigation and remediation and to prevent contaminated soils being imported into the site.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent, the applicant and a ward councillor addressed the meeting, while statements from other individuals were received, circulated, read and published.

Members’ discussion

Members sought a green travel plan and lighter, non-reflective materials, and discussed junction capacity, pedestrian and cycle safety and crossing points.

“During discussion on the item, members raised concerns relating to a green travel plan and the materials used in the development and officers agreed to amend the recommendation by the addition of a new s.106 Head of Term to secure the green…”

“During discussion on the item, concerns were raised regarding Bridge Road junction in terms of capacity and safety for pedestrian cyclists. It was confirmed that, as part of the S106 mitigation package, this junction is being looked at improving sustainable travel facilities, including improvements to pedestrian and cycle routes. There was also a concern raised that the cycle lane by the roundabout by Itchen Toll Bridge’s markings are faded.”

Minutes

The vote

The Panel unanimously confirmed the habitats assessment and carried the amended recommendation to delegate conditional permission.

“Upon being put to the vote, the Panel unanimously confirmed the Habitats Regulation Assessment.”

“The Panel then considered recommendation (2) that the application be delegated to the Director of Transport and Planning to grant planning permission subject to criteria listed in the report as amended and recommendations (3) and (4). Upon being put to the vote the recommendation was carried.”

Minutes

The decision

Authority was delegated to grant conditional permission subject to a Section 106 agreement, including sustainable travel, training, carbon and staff travel measures.

“Delegate to the Delegate to the Director of Transport and Planning to grant planning permission subject to criteria listed in report to grant conditional planning permission subject to the completion of a S.106 Legal Agreement to secure:”

Minutes