Affordable homes for key workers, a conference centre, children's nursery and a £3m community benefits package are among proposals lodged with planners by the Berkeley Group, developers of Gunwharf Quays, the shopping and leisure complex on Portsmouth's historic harbour waterfront.

The proposals form part of a number of planning applications, which set out to improve the existing complex at Gunwharf Quays and complete remaining undeveloped sites.

Two applications involve a mix of 345 owner occupied residential units, 120 affordable homes for key workers, a 9,900 sq ft conference centre, a 5,314 sq ft children's nursery with 2,400 sq ft of external play area, together with 15,285 sq ft of shops.

More than a quarter of the proposed new residential development would be given over to key worker

accommodation.

"We are prepared to enter into a planning agreement to support this development,'' said Andrew Saunders-Davis, managing director of Berkeley Homes (Home Counties).

"This may provide for associated transport and infrastructure costs and will include a contribution towards the shortfall in funding of the Spinnaker Tower and Millennium Promenade.

"We are keen to see these and other elements, such as the Waterbus, concluded as part of the completion of Gunwharf Quays, which will enable the fulfilment of the development concept.''

The group has commissioned architects Broadway Malyan to design the proposed new development adjacent to a 130-bed hotel, Express by Holiday Inn, and retail units already under construction.