Across the UK, levels of investment and development have been impacted by higher inflation and borrowing costs. The Southampton Renaissance Masterplan is Southampton City Council’s response to these economic and cost-of-living challenges affecting residents, businesses, and government.

The appointment of Prior + Partners and the consortium brings diverse expertise from across the planning and development sector. This work is the first stage in a longer-term programme for planning and delivering new development in the city, with the consortium beating competition from more than 25 applicants.

The 90-strong Prior + Partners team work across disciplines to unlock the potential of places and communities. Recent work in the UK includes supporting local authorities and their partners in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and Cambridge. The consultancy’s wider team includes The Place Bureau, which will support a creative programme of engagement; viability and property specialist Newsteer; civil engineering and mobility expert Civic Engineers; and cost consultants Stockdale.

Landowners, major employers, and local universities are key members on the Southampton Renaissance Board, which will work alongside the consortium, through the Southampton Renaissance Masterplan, to highlight the city’s prospects for investment. Southampton has consistently ranked in the top-five performing cities in the PwC ‘Good Growth for Cities Index’, securing fifth place in 2023, and has also appeared in a list of the top 50 best cities in Europe.

The Southampton Renaissance Masterplan will help showcase the momentum building to regenerate the city, with the Bargate Quarter scheme restarting soon and expecting to deliver much needed new homes, new commercial space, and a new spotlight on the North Wall – part of the historic defensive structures built around the city – in 2026.

The University of Southampton has appointed Kier Southampton to begin the delivery of the North East Quadrant development on its Highfield Campus, one of the centrepieces of the university’s major estates transformation. With market conditions expected to improve, Chapel Riverside will look to complete its final phase, as well as the granting of planning consent for a new ‘co-living’ scheme. Planning application for Town Quay has also recently been submitted.

The Southampton Renaissance Board and Prior + Partners’ consortium will identify key investment opportunities for comprehensive regeneration across the city – from capitalising on the aspiration to create a world-class waterfront, to the redevelopment of the city centre and transformation of the Station Quarter.

Prior + Partners’ chief executive, Jason Prior, said: “Southampton has played an extraordinary role in our nation’s history, with the city’s significance continuing today through its amazing location on the south coast, the remarkable working port, along with its leading role in supporting education, innovation and enterprise.

“Our team are incredibly privileged to play a role in the continuation of Southampton’s powerful story, and we look forward to working with the local community and esteemed representatives of the Southampton Renaissance Board to unlock the full potential of what is one of Western Europe’s greatest waterfront opportunities.’’

Councillor Sarah Bogle, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “Southampton’s people can be proud of our city – it has internationally renowned maritime, medical, education, and professional services, and is regarded as a hub for innovation and emerging technologies. It sits at the heart of the £2 billion Solent Freeport; it’s the UK’s biggest port and Europe’s number-one cruise port. Its universities support graduate start-ups and spin-out companies, and it has an international culture that hosts sports, festivals, music, and other events all-year round.

“The Southampton Renaissance Board will capitalise on the opportunities within these wide-ranging investment interests and provide the support needed to deliver them for Southampton.”