A landmark arts complex in Southampton could be handed over to the city as early as next year after approval was finally granted for the £40m cultural centre.

After 14 years of successive plans, the green light has been given to developers Grosvenor who have said they will deliver the arts aspect of the scheme as early as next year.

They plan to begin work on the development on the former Tyrrell and Green site in Northern Above Bar this autumn.

Speaking at the planning and rights of way panel meeting yesterday Simon Armstrong from Grosvenor said the firm were keen to “crack on” with delivering the project.

“We hope to start in the autumn and hand the arts project over next year. It is a tight projection but deliverable.”

The development includes a £21m arts complex housing an art gallery, two theatres, a dance studio, a media and film facility and educational spaces and will provide up to 300 jobs.

Local groups such as the John Hansard Gallery and City Eye are already signed up to become part of the complex.

The site will also contain restaurants, cafes, bars and 38 flats, slightly more than in the original plan.

Supporting the scheme, Graham Linecar, of the City of Southampton Society said the development would significantly enhance Southampton as a centre for the arts.

“It will be one of the civic design achievements our generation bequeaths to future citizens of Southampton.”

The scheme had been held up by funding wrangling and taxpayers will be paying £1m more than was first expected to fund the development, sparking fresh calls to sell off some of the city’s 3,700-piece art collection to fund the development, in line with the Daily Echo’s Show Us The Monet campaign.

In total, the city council will pay £6.7m while the Arts Council has provided a £5.7m grant and a separate £1.5m towards the art gallery.

Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster’s property company, will provide the rest.