Hammerson's outline planning application for its £70m Watermark WestQuay scheme has been approved by Southampton City Council today.

Councillors voted unanimously to support the 88,500m² (950,000ft²) mixed-use scheme, which is immediately adjacent to Hammerson's jointly owned 76,200m² shopping destination WestQuay Shopping Centre.

The masterplan will be delivered in two phases, with the first phase comprising a landmark cinema building, up to 15 restaurants and additional retail space, alongside newly created public space in front of the city's historic walls.

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The second phase has the potential to include a residential tower, a hotel, flexible office space, restaurants and additional public space.

Guy Wells, Development Manager for Hammerson, said: "The site offers a unique opportunity to transform a redundant brownfield site and will ensure that Southampton continues to provide residents and visitors with a fantastic retail and leisure offer in the city centre.

"We have been extremely encouraged by the support we have received during the planning process and following the determination of the application we will now begin work on our detailed designs for the first phase."

Hammerson originally developed WestQuay shopping centre, anchored by John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, in 2000. The centre attracts 17 million consumers a year and recently launched Dining at WestQuay, a £7m catering extension which attracted new restaurant brands to the centre and Southampton.

(CD/JP)