THIS is the first glimpse of the new Woolston waterfront, as designers release their vision of the state-of-the-art quayside business development.

With commercial quays, boatsheds, a yacht centre and space for cafes and restaurants, the four-hectare site formerly owned by shipbuilders Vosper Thornycroft is said to become a major new marine facility.

South Quay will have a new pier for vessels of special public interest and North Quay will become a repair and refit centre for super-yachts with a length of up to 75m.

Restaurants could move into the ground-floor of the former ship fitting-out warehouse, with training, marketing and hospitality buildings on the upper floors of the south side.

The massive redevelopment also includes up to 1,500 new homes, with at least 25 per cent set aside for key workers such as teachers and nurses.

There will be public space at the heart of the development, waterfront access for the first time in 100 years and green areas scattered throughout.

Now bosses are set to entice business leaders into the new facilities by handing out hundreds of brochures at the Southampton Boat Show, which starts today.

They want boat-builders and marine businesses to climb aboard the project, lodging expressions of interest with designers at an early stage.

Peter Cusdin, project director for South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), said: "The UK is developing a significant presence within the new build and refit markets for large production boats and super-yachts, with international interest focusing on the Solent. The area is seen as a source of innovative, modern technology which, coupled with the history of traditional craftsmanship and a skilled workforce, offers the potential for the Solent to deliver vessels of world class quality."

The land, which was occupied by VT for 100 years, was snapped up by SEEDA for £15m after the company's move toPortsmouth.

There has been an extensive public consultation, with more than 1,000 residents visiting two exhibitions of the plans.

A planning brief has been drawn up and should be endorsed by Southampton City Council on September 22.