By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Concerns have been raised over when a riverside path will be delivered as part of a major housing development.
The planning approval for the 255-home Meridian Waterside scheme in Southampton included the extension of a local park and a new waterfront walkway along the River Itchen.
While one of three blocks of flats still yet to completed, Southampton Commons and Parks Protection Society (SCAPPS) has highlighted the lack of progress on completing the public realm improvements.
Speaking during the court leet ceremony at the Civic Centre, Graham Linecar, of SCAPPS, said: “Inland Homes, the developer of the former Meridian site, went into administration some time ago.
The existing waterfront path next to the Meridian Waterside development. Photo: LDRS
“The planning permission includes construction of a landscape riverside path and public green space.
“The administrator made arrangements for an alternative developer to build the remaining permitted housing but nothing has been done to build the riverfront path and green space included in the planning permission.
“My presentment asks what steps the city council has taken and intends taking to secure implementation of this significant public realm improvement which SCAPPS and others thought was secured by the planning permission.”
The improved walkway would run along the west bank of the River Itchen from just north of Northam Bridge
Mr Linecar also asked if lessons had been learned about conditions in planning permissions to avoid a similar situation arising again towards the Itchen Riverside Broadwalk.
Inland Homes called in administrators two years ago with one of the three blocks of flats incomplete.
The existing waterfront path next to the Meridian Waterside development. Photo: LDRS
Estate agent Savills was marketing the part-built Southern House last year with an asking price of £7million.
The building, which is expected to provide 104 apartments with one-, two- or three-bedroom homes, is still covered in scaffolding and yet to be finished.
The regeneration project is on the site which was formerly the home of Meridian TV studios.
Mr Linecar’s presentment on the riverside path issue will be considered by council leaders and responded to formally in the coming months.
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