EIGHT years is a long time, and yet in the history of a city it will be the batting of an eye.

Today the Daily Echo reveals the latest artist’s impression of the planned development for the Southampton waterfront at Mayflower Park.

The long-awaited Royal Pier Waterfront designs are now to go before planning chiefs for approval.

There have been many such schemes that have been floated for the prime waterfront site but none have got this far in the development stages.

After a number of false dawns then, Southampton looks poised to join other sea ports as a true destination city.

To this paper, the designs look impressive and manage to retain the community heart that Mayflower Park has always provided for Southampton.

There is some way to go, of course. The public must have their say, and we encourage as many of you as possible to visit the public exhibition, which opens today.

It is important that we all get this decision right.

Eight years may be a short time in the history of Southampton, but the creation of a world-class waterfront has been a long time in the coming.