Development Plans for Southampton’s Royal Pier

The vision to create a world-class waterfront at Southampton’s Royal Pier has moved a step closer this autumn with the submission of a planning application for its development by RPW (Southampton) Limited (RPW), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Lucent Group.

The Royal Pier Waterfront development is the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of Southampton City Council’s master plan for the city.  The plan includes 7 VIPs (Very Important Projects) which are due for delivery by 2030.

In February 2014, RPW signed a Conditional Landowners’ Development Agreement with the landowners of the Royal Pier site:  Southampton City Council, Associated British Ports (ABP) and The Crown Estate.  Since then RPW has brought together a large team of specialist consultants, all located in Hampshire, to develop a scheme to transform the Royal Pier site and Mayflower Park.

The scheme requires the relocation of the Red Funnel ferry services from their current location at Town Quay to Trafalgar Dock.  A new terminal building, marshalling yard, multi decked car park and marine works are due to be undertaken to improve the travelling experience of Red Funnel’s passengers.  On the Royal Pier site, nearly 6 hectares of land will be reclaimed from the River Test.  This additional land will enable the expansion of Mayflower Park and provide a platform for the main development.

The main site will provide a mixed use development with the planning application submitted in August 2015 making provision for over 700 high quality apartments, a signature 250 room hotel, an epicurean market, a variety of premium brand boutiques and restaurants, office space, a casino (subject to licence), a cultural building and an arts complex.  An 800 metre boardwalk will run the entire length of the development and will more than double the amount of waterfront access currently available on the site.  In addition a new marine basin will be developed between the Royal Pier site and Town Quay.  This basin will provide moorings for tall ships and yachts ensuring that diners, shoppers and promenaders will have a different backdrop to enjoy every time they visit.

The park will undergo a major transformation.   Improvements will include an enhanced children’s play area, an interactive fountain, enhanced seating and layout, a wooden promenade to allow access to the water, the creation of space for the proposed Spitfire monument and a footprint large enough to incorporate all elements of the PSP Southampton Boat Show on one site.

Applications for a Marine Management Organisation (MMO) licence and a Harbour Works Consent were made at the same time as the planning submission.  A Transport Works Act Order will be submitted shortly with a planning determination expected in the first half of 2016.  The enabling works for the Red Funnel move and land reclamation works are due to commence later next year.  It is anticipated that Red Funnel will start operating from its new terminal in 2018 and that Mayflower Park will be open in 2019.  The entire scheme is scheduled for completion in 2023.