Southampton's Toys R Us site could be turned into 600 flats

A total of 600 flats and 60,000sqft of office space could be created at the former Toys R Us site.

A new hotel, serviced apartments, cafes and green spaces could also be built at the site.

A public consultation on the plans will close on October 10.

Developer Packaged Living said it is seeking to deliver ” a green and sustainable” scheme.

According to the proposals, 480 cycle spaces would also be available at the site.

The scheme has been named The Maritime Gateway.

A planning application is expected to be submitted to Southampton City Council following the public consultation.

If approved, work at the site could begin by winter 2022.

Initial plans for the site were first unveiled in 2019 and included proposals for 275 flats, new  restaurants, cafes and shops as well as an office block  which was set to be funded by Southampton City Council through borrowing.

But last month the newly elected council leader Cllr Daniel Fitzhenry said the authority would not be paying for the office building.

Following the publication of the latest plans, developers said: “Packaged Living recognises that the pandemic has fundamentally changed the way that people live, work, socialise and shop.

“As a result, to ensure the project is sustainable and deliverable, a vision has emerged that will include a mixture of privately rented residential units, along with new retail space and office space.”

The new flats would be available for private rental as build-to-rent, developers said.

But they added: “Due to the challenges and cost of cleaning up the site from its past uses the ability to deliver affordable houses will be impacted.

“This impact will be assessed in the standard way as the development comes forward.”

A face-to-face consultation drop-in session will be held at MAST Studios in Southampton on October 8 from 1pm to 4pm.

It is anticipated that it would take two to three years to complete the scheme.