Up to 300 new jobs are coming to Southampton as part of the next phase of the city’s iconic Centenary Quay development following a deal which will see work start next month.
Contracts have been exchanged between Crest Nicholson and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) for the third phase of the £500m development, which will include a new Morrisons supermarket, 329 homes with further retail and restaurant space.
Partners have welcomed the agreements, which will unlock an estimated £61m in private sector investment in the local area and has also seen Morrisons agree to take a long lease on the supermarket to be constructed at the riverside development in Woolston.
Crest Nicholson has built the residential-led first phase of Centenary Quay and the construction of the second phase comprising apartments, a nursery and a new library is well underway. The recent deal with Morrisons confirms that the next phase of the development will follow closely behind.
The HCA has invested significantly in this phase of the project, including £2m via the National Affordable Homes Programme to deliver 72 affordable homes and a loan of £1.96m from Get Britain Building to support a further 56 homes on the site.
Debbie Aplin Managing Director, Crest Nicholson Regeneration said: "It is great news that Morrisons has come onboard. This is an important phase of the development as it includes not only a new supermarket, providing local employment opportunities, but also 329 new homes of which 72 are affordable, a new public plaza with bars and cafes which all assist in the regeneration of the area.
"These aspects of the proposals gained substantial support at the public exhibition last year. We maintain the commitment of all parties concerned; the HCA, the local authority, local registered housing providers and ourselves to the community of Woolston and Southampton. We are looking forward to completing this very exciting next phase of Centenary Quay."
Peter Cusdin, HCA development director, added: “This agreement builds on the fantastic progress we have made Centenary Quay, adding an employment element to more than 300 homes, a library and children’s nursery we have already brought to the area. Though our work to regenerate major projects across the country, we understand the importance of creating new jobs to communities like this. The employment and investment that will be created here are great news for the local area and a vital part of the continuing success of this exciting scheme.”
Cllr Richard Williams, Southampton City Council Leader said: “As well as cafes, restaurants and a public plaza creating a waterfront style leisure and amenity area, the aim is to open up the waterfront and create a first class public realm. We welcome the news about Morrisons and the continued progress that is being made.”
David Bevan, Development Executive at Morrisons said: “We are pleased to join the hugely successful Centenary Quay project and Morrisons are looking forward to opening our new supermarket which will be a key part of phase three. We have seen the development of phase one and two and we recognised the opportunity to invest in Woolston and Centenary Quay as very positive.”
The affordable homes will be delivered by Radian and Spectrum Housing Group, who are local Registered Providers and Crest’s partners on the whole scheme.
