Waterfront mixed-use redevelopment at Town Quay Marina, Town Quay, Southampton

What was proposed

The scheme included a hotel, 460 apartments, commercial space, ferry facilities, marina expansion, boardwalks, public spaces and supporting works.

“Proposed development: Redevelopment of the site. Mixed-use redevelopment of Town Quay including: • The erection of a 9-storey building on the existing pier comprising a hotel with 128 bedrooms and 18 serviced apartments, spa, restaurants, bars and conferencing facilities and two floors of parking below and helipad on roof; • New red-jet passenger terminal and cafe at ground floor with associated new ferry berths, following pier strengthening works to include additional…”

Officer report

The site and its setting

Town Quay is a pier and marina beside the River Test, near listed buildings, operational port land and flood-risk areas.

“Town Quay is a pier that projects into the River Test, accessed via Town Quay Road. It is entirely within private ownership, including the highway, which is unadopted. The application site comprises a 224-space private car park to the southern end of Town Quay and the existing marina.”

“The existing marina provides approximately 100 berths for leisure boats and is currently operated by ABP. It is accessed from Town Quay Road via an internal port road. There is a private slipway from the access road into the Marina. Red Funnel’s Red Jet foot-ferry service to East Cowes operates from the east side of Town Quay, and the Hythe Ferry service also has a berth within the marina.”

Officer report

Planning history and timing

A previous resolution supported permission, while the current main issue was whether a four-year implementation period should be allowed.

“In terms of the merits of a 4-year permission, the Town and Country Planning Act requires every planning permission to be granted subject to a condition that the development to which it relates must be begun not later than the expiration of: (a) 3 years beginning with the date on which the planning permission is granted; or (b) Such other period (whether longer or shorter) beginning with that date as the authority concerned with the terms of planning permission may…”

“The remainder of this report is as originally set out to the Planning and Rights of way Panel on the 4 th March 2025. Subsequent to the meeting, a high-level drainage strategy was provided, and the report and conditions have been updated to reflect this. In addition to this, the planning conditions have been amended following discussions with the applicant, with the main changes relating to detailed wording and the triggers for the submission of information.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the scheme would deliver homes, jobs, regeneration and public waterfront access, with impacts controlled by conditions and obligations.

“The proposal would also provide a high-quality design approach which could have a regenerative impact on this part of the city centre. The proposal would also deliver new public access to the waterfront. These are further substantial benefits of the scheme. The works to the junction of Town Quay would mitigate the direct effects of the development but would also serve as a benefit to existing users of this crossing.”

“The redevelopment of Town Quay would have a transformative impact on this prominent city centre site, which currently does little to contribute to the character of the city’s waterfront. The application proposes a high-quality approach to the architecture of the new buildings which is embedded in the city’s maritime heritage. The buildings would have a distinctive appearance on the city’s skyline, including when viewed from the water.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A local resident and the agent addressed the Panel, and a statement from another person was noted.

The vote

The Panel confirmed the habitats assessment and carried the amended recommendation, with four votes for, one against and one abstention.

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

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

Minutes

The decision

Authority was delegated to grant permission subject to conditions, a legal agreement, a four-year period if completed on time, and amended flood and archaeology conditions.

“To confirm the Habitats Regulation Assessment set out in Appendix 1 of the report. 2. That authority be delegated to the Director of Transport and Planning to grant planning permission subject to the conditions in the report and any additional or amended conditions or planning obligations set out below and the completion of a S.106 Legal Agreement.”

“That the Director of Transport and Planning be given delegated powers to add, vary and/or delete relevant parts of the Section 106 agreement and/or conditions as necessary. In the event that the legal agreement is not completed within a reasonable timescale 1 month following the Panel meeting, the Director of Transport and Planning be authorised to refuse permission on the ground of failure to secure the provisions of the Section 106 Legal Agreement.”

Minutes