Land earmarked for major regeneration in Southampton city centre will continue to be used as a car park for cruise passengers – but not for as long as port bosses wanted.

Associated British Ports already uses the existing surface car park at the Leisure World site.

With this permission due to expire in January next year, the port sought permission from the city council to use a larger area of land for five years.

This request included additional space created by the demolition buildings on the site, which is due to be completed in the coming weeks.

The city’s port owners stepped in to clear the Leisure World complex after the proposed development project stalled.

The £250million scheme, which received outline planning permission in 2021, included 650 homes, two 150-room hotels, a cinema and a casino.

Officers told members of the planning and rights of way panel at a meeting on Tuesday, June 4, that the council had received no interest from the development industry to take forward the outline planning permission.

Bargate ward councillor Sarah Bogle objected to the car parking application. She asked the panel to consider a shorter temporary use period.

Cllr Bogle said: “I accept nothing is going to happen straight away with a development site of that nature immediately but the current permission [for car parking] lasts until the early part of next year, so even a couple of years will take us to 2027, which I think is sufficient time to do probably two things.

“One is to find alternative sources of car parking and alternative travel uses for cruise ship visitors within the port site or other locations in the vicinity.

“Two, to look at bringing on development, operators who will be willing to put planning applications into all or part of this site. There is no reason why only part of the site could not be started within the next few years. I don’t think that’s an unreasonable expectation.”

The panel approved the application for a temporary use for two years from the date of consent, which is subject to a legal agreement between the port and the council. The applicant has three months to complete this agreement.

Under the plans, the site will accommodate 1,493 car parking spaces, with the only access via Solent Road. The former West Quay Road access will not be used.