South East England Development Agency - Mixed-Use Development - Southampton, Woolston Riverside

Date: 20 Sep 2004

The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), working with national regeneration agency English Partnerships and Southampton City Council (SCC), today unveiled plans to develop a marine manufacturing and service facility at the Woolston Riverside site in Southampton.

Building on Southampton's world class reputation for marine engineering and technology, the strategy to develop a marine facility at Woolston Riverside will increase the already significant presence that the City holds within the new build and refit markets.

The plans cover a 4 ha (9.92 acre) area and take advantage of the unique aspects of the Woolston Riverside site that incorporate existing deep water quays, providing permanent deep water access and berthing. Located downstream of the Itchen Bridge, the facility will be able to accommodate vessels up to 65 m ashore and vessels up to 75 m afloat.

SEEDA's Development Projects Director, Peter Cusdin commented: "The Woolston Riverside site provides an excellent opportunity for marine companies wishing to locate or expand in Southampton."

To develop the strategy for the site, SEEDA is seeking expressions of interest from companies with a core business focused on the manufacture and fit-out of production boats as well as other businesses operating in the marine sector.

It is hoped that following receipt of interest, two or three occupiers will be identified to work with SEEDA and its partners to develop the scheme.

The proposals for the site include four key elements to optimise the use of the deep water basins and support the associated shoreside commercial activity:

North Quay - specialist working quay for repair and refit of vessels up to 75m
Centenary Quay - main commercial quayside accommodating vessels up to 76m
Central Basin - working area focused around a large hoist dock or lift with associated pontoon berthing
South Quay - new pier to accommodate feature vessels up to 65m

The shoreside area has the potential to provide up to 46,500 sq m of floorspace to house boatsheds, associated offices and workshop facilities that it is envisaged will include:

The Boatshed - opportunity for anchor tenants requiring large scale production facilities
Boat Yard - access to the hoist synchro-lift, external fit-out areas and boat sheds
North Quay Large Yacht Centre - workshops and studios for associated businesses involved in the various projects on the North Quay working pontoon.
Marine Trade Centre - marine related support businesses in a range of workshops and stores fronting onto the boat yard and offices, showrooms and retail units fronting onto the main road.
FOTC - re-use of the former Fitting Out Trades Complex (FOTC) providing flexible commercial space.

As part of the mixed-use development, the ground floor of the south side of the FOTC building will access public space that has the potential to accommodate retail, food and drink outlets.

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