AN "URBAN renaissance" to make Southampton one of the key destinations for the south over the next 20 years is at the forefront of the partnership's vision to improve the city.

It will help turn the city into one of the must-live, must-work places where people who have grown up in never want to leave.

A host of new leisure facilities will help put Southampton on the map while existing attractions like the popular annual boat show will continue to be expanded and developed.

Already, developers have submitted plans to kickstart the West Quay Three regeneration project with the approval of a scheme to build a new headquarters for cruise giant Cunard in the city centre.

This year, work is also expected to begin on the city centre "plaza" as well as shops and offices in one of the key regeneration areas of Southampton.

Plans are still also in the pipeline for a giant 8,000 capacity arena and ice rink for the city centre which will be built on land currently occupied by part of the De Vere hotel car park.

It will bring to an end an 18-year wait for residents who have been deprived of the facility since the previous one closed in the Bannister Park area.

Other schemes include a scaled-down revival of the Royal Pier/Mayflower park area - possibly paid for by a large casino which will also provide a permanent home for the city's internationally famous Boat Show.

Northern Above Bar and Guildhall Square are also set to become the home for the city's so called "cultural quarter."

To the east of the city, a project to build hundreds of new homes and marine industries at the former Vosper Thornycroft works is likely to take shape over the next two decades making Woolston one of the most sought after areas to live.