REI 10 Industry and Warehousing

The following sites are safeguarded for light industrial, general industrial and storage and distribution uses within Classes B1(c), B2 and B8 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 2005:

(i) Ashley Crescent - off Portsmouth Road

(ii) First, Second and Third Avenue, Millbrook Trading Estate

(iii) City Industrial Park

(iv) Central Trading Estate*

(v) Centurion Industrial Park*

(vi) Empress Road Industrial Estate*

(vii) Belgrave Industrial Estate*

(viii) Site north of Orion Industrial Centre

(ix) Orion Industrial Centre, Wide Lane

(x) Airways Distribution Centre, Wide Lane

(xi) Northam Industrial Estate*

(xii) City Commerce Centre*

(xiii) West Quay Road site, north of the Post House Hotel

(xv) Mount Pleasant Industrial Park*

(xvi) Gasholder site, Britannia Road*

(xvii) Floating Bridge Road and Crosshouse Road site*

(xix) Millbank Industrial area*

(xx) the northern end of Hazel Road*

(xxi) Spitfire Quay*

(xxii) Site on the corner of Oakley Road and Tebourba Way

(xxiii) Site on the corner of Auckland road and Tebourba Way

(xxiv) 231-271 Winchester Road

Site REI 11(xvi), the Gasholder Site, Britannia Road is also safeguarded for uses complementary to Southampton Football Club should the opportunity arise to enhance the facilities associated with the adjoining stadium.

Redevelopment proposals for other similar employment uses may be acceptable providing they are not harmful to existing industrial or warehousing users on the safeguarded site

View REI10 on the proposed modifications map here.

8.43

In order that the city retains a broad employment base and a supply of sites and premises that provide a variety of opportunities for industrial and warehouse development this Policy safeguards areas of existing industrial and warehouse use. This is particularly pertinent given that industrial land and premises are coming increasingly under pressure for housing, retail or leisure uses. There are however a number of employment uses often found on industrial estates that could suitably be located within these safeguarded areas. Examples may include a bus garage, an MOT testing station, a builder's merchant and warehouse club or cash and carry operation that serves industrial or business users but does not share many of the characteristics of a large retail outlet.

8.44

Two of the sites identified currently include uses of a non-industrial nature; site number REI11 (xxiii) retail warehousing (A1) and leisure uses (D2) and REI11 (xxiv) retail warehousing. These sites were identified in the late 1980s for these purposes when planning policies for retail development were more relaxed. It is no longer considered appropriate for retail development which generates large volumes of predominantly car-borne traffic to be located outside the city or district centres. Therefore should these sites come forward for redevelopment, proposals other than for B1c, B2, B8 or similar employment uses will not be permitted.

8.45

Sites REI11 (xix), (xx) and (xxi) have historically been linked to water related uses and these uses are positively encouraged along the River Itchen. However in these locations these uses have been progressively replaced with industrial uses not reliant on the waterside. This has particularly been the case for sites with limited or no access to the water. Locations which will be safeguarded for water-related uses are identified under Policy REI 13. Site REI11(xvi), the Gasholder Site, Britannia Road is currently still in use but may be decommissioned in the lifetime of this plan and be suitable for redevelopment for industrial or commercial purposes. The site is immediately adjacent to the new, relocated ground of Southampton Football Club, which has helped in the regeneration of the St. Mary's area and has been a source of additional employment. The Gasholder site would also be suitable to provide additional complementary facilities for the football ground, should there be an opportunity for expansion.

8.46

Sites marked with an asterisk * are sites wholly/ partly within an area identified on the Environment Agency's indicative flood risk map as at risk from tidal flooding. With any development/ redevelopment further investigation is required as to the extent, nature and risk of flooding and any development will need to be of appropriate design and with an appropriate minimum level of protection which can be maintained during the lifetime of the development (refer to Policy SDP 20).