Centenary Quay, Woolston Riverside Gets The Go Ahead
18 August 2008The Partners in the Centenary Quay, Woolston Riverside project - The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Palmer Johnson and Crest Nicholson Regeneration Ltd (CNR) - are delighted that both applications for this innovative project have been approved by Southampton City Council's Planning and Rights of Way Panel.
At today’s meeting, the Council’s Panel approved the planning applications submitted by CNR (in partnership with SEEDA) and world famous boat builder Palmer Johnson, giving the comprehensive regeneration of the Woolston Riverside site its seal of approval.
Commenting on this positive outcome, Peter Cusdin, Development Director, SEEDA, said:
"We are extremely pleased that both applications for this visionary, comprehensive development have been accepted and approved by the Council’s Planning Panel. The shared vision for Woolston Riverside has always been to regenerate and revitalise this important brownfield waterfront site and following today’s meeting we can now move forward with this exciting project.
This ambitious development will bring a flourishing and sustainable mixed-use community to Woolston and the wider Southampton area, with high quality homes, excellent community facilities and a vibrant mix of employment opportunities."
Commenting on the success of securing a planning consent Debbie Aplin, Managing Director of Crest Nicholson Regeneration, said:
We have worked with all of the local stakeholders to secure a sustainable mixed-used approval that will be the catalyst for the regeneration of this historic riverside site. We have worked closely with local businesses and the community to ensure that the range of uses, which includes creating housing and jobs for local people, together with attracting businesses to the area, will directly benefit Woolston. The mix of uses will create a vibrant riverside location that will reflect the riverside heritage and be a destination that people will want to visit."
Lee Archer of Palmer Johnson, said:
"We, like our Woolston partners, are delighted that both the Palmer Johnson and CNR applications have been approved by the Council’s Planning Panel. We are eager to move to Woolston and integrate with the local community and, with two important orders placed which need delivering by 2009, time is of the essence.
"The UK expansion of Palmer Johnson to Woolston will enable us to deliver and meet the global demand for our products. The wealth of marine experience in the region and Solent area is something we are keen to tap into and we are looking forward to working closely with local sub-contractors and suppliers.
"Woolston is an ideal location for us and the comprehensive development of the whole site means that the Palmer Johnson team and workforce will be able to live and work in, and be part of, a vibrant community with outstanding facilities. This reinforces the factors which led to us choose Woolston as our new base."
Peter Cusdin added: "Securing consent is a big step forward as it enables the regeneration plans to proceed and unlocks £10 million of new SEEDA investment in site reclamation and provision of new roads and services over the next two years. This is a really exciting opportunity and we will be working closely with our preferred development partners, local residents and businesses to create a vibrant waterfront.
"The future of this significant City site is now secure and the Woolston Project Team can now move forward to deliver this exciting comprehensive development – turning it from a vision into a reality."
Clean-up and advanced works are currently taking place at the site, with building work scheduled to commence on the visionary and ambitious £500 million project in 2009.
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