TRADERS and residents in Woolston have reacted with cautious optimism to news of a modern waterfront development plan, revealed in yesterday's Daily Echo.

Rising on the banks of the River Itchen, where Vosper Thornycroft used to build warships, the £350m scheme would house up to 1,500 people and provide up to 1,000 jobs.

Charles Oliver, owner of Lawrence fish and chip shop in nearby Victoria Road, believes the plan is a step in the right direction.

He said: "I think the new development is a good thing. It will certainly brighten the place up and be better than what we've got at the moment.

"It's obviously going to benefit all the traders here and I think most people feel quite positive about it. The area will look really nice if the development looks how it appeared in the Daily Echo."

The plan to transform the 36-acre site into a variety of homes, industry and public spaces is the brainchild of world-renowned architects the Richard Rogers Partnership.

Key aspects of the development also include extending Victoria Road down to the riverside to include more shops and a marketplace intended to create a new "vibrant heart" for Woolston. Alf Patmore, who has owned the Spares Centre in Victoria Road for about seven years, said: "The development will probably be good for business. I'm quite sure it will attract more people to the area as well."

Jas Gill, who lives and works in the area, believes the scheme could start a trend of 21st century living apartments in Southampton.

He said: "The project's going to take a long time but I think it'll be worth it. It's definitely going to bring trade in, especially to the local food stores. I think it will be nice to see some more people in the area. Hopefully the surrounding areas will benefit too and encourage them to have new developments."

BGS store co-owner Elizabeth Gray believes Southampton needs more modern accommodation for younger generations stepping on to the property ladder.

She said: "I think the housing will be a good thing.

"It's about time the area had a wake-up call and I definitely think it will work.

"It's not enough for Southampton only to have Ocean Village for modern housing."

The 12-storey towers could house residents as soon as the summer of 2008, but not everyone is sure about the appearance of the buildings.

Eileen Hodge, manager of Solent Cleaners, said: "I think it's a good idea to build out there but I'm not sure about having all those tall buildings. Trade has gone down since the site has been empty so hopefully it will pick up again once this is built, though I'm not overly confident this will happen."

A full planning application is to be lodged with the council in April.

See also the Spotlight feature under the 'More News' section.