Southampton is to get a £160m makeover after the city council's decision to approve plans for three key developments in the city centre.
Architects Terry Farrell & Partners have submitted a masterplan for the £100m West Quay 3 scheme, which includes a 13,000 m2 covered arena, with an Olympic-sized ice rink, a one-acre town square and a hotel.

The masterplan includes the development of three residential blocks to be built by Linden Homes and the Bravo consortium, a joint venture between developers Bravo and Hammerson.

Planning consultation is under way for the West Quay 3 scheme.

Proposals for the third development have been submitted by Developer Raven Property Holdings for the Northern Above Bar Scheme, a development to expand Southampton's cultural quarter, situated to the north of the city.

The £30m scheme includes plans to redevelop the Tyrell & Green department store to create 200 flats, with the ground and mezzanine levels converted into 4000 m2 of outlets for visual and performing arts organisations, retail and restaurant space.

Southampton council has agreed to the outline plans, and the planning application is expected towards the end of 2003.

Developer McAteer & Rushe will begin work later this year on a £30m hotel development at Charlotte Place in the city centre, to be completed by the end of 2004.