JOHN Denham has launched a campaign to save Southampton’s under-threat flagship arts complex.

The Labour MP for Southampton Itchen last night urged the new Government to back the £14m redevelopment of the former Tyrrell and Green site.

Support from the Conservative- Liberal Democrat coalition could help convince the Arts Council to commit a £5.7m grant vital to the future of the scheme, he added.

As revealed by the Daily Echo on Monday, the organisation has delayed making a decision on the multi-million pound grant until July 22.

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It was the latest in a long series of delays to have hit the Southampton New Arts Complex, which was first proposed ten years ago.

However, Mr Denham was yesterday hopeful the delay was a sign that Arts Council bosses were considering supporting the plan. Mr Denham revealed that before the election he lobbied Ben Bradshaw, the former culture minister, to ask the Arts Council to have another look at the project.

“The next thing we heard was that the Arts Council had delayed the decision,” the former Cabinet member said.

“I hope that it’s good news and I hope that the lobbying has kept it in play. It is such an important development for Southampton.”

Mr Denham said the funding must be protected from the Government’s proposed £6billion public spending cuts.

Opening in 2014, it was set to feature cafes, restaurants, luxury apartments and house four of the city’s major arts organisations.

Southampton City Council has already spent £1.2m of public cash to demolish the derelict department store and another £4.6m on a revamped Guildhall Square.

Mr Denham denied his focus on the complex was a reaction to stinging criticism from his Tory rival, Councillor Royston Smith, at the election count. Cllr Smith, deputy leader of the City Council, said the Labour Government had failed Southampton”.

Mr Denham said: I have always worked away on issues like this, often in a low key way.”