Navigator Quarter is a special economic zone within the Solent Freeport and would transform approximately 110 acres of land in Eastleigh, adjacent to Southampton Airport, into a vibrant space for local, national and international businesses to call their home.
The proposals are being brought forward by a partnership between blocwork, a joint venture between bloc and Network Rail, and Southampton International Airport Limited (SIAL).
A planning application is being prepared to deliver around 92,000 sq m of high-quality employment space with associated infrastructure works and a new access road from Mitchell Way.
The site benefits from excellent transport links by air, road, rail, and sea. It is well-placed with direct access to Southampton Airport, strategic road networks (Junction 5 of the M27 and the M3), and Southampton Airport Parkway railway station, as well as close proximity to Southampton’s port network.
The Navigator Quarter site is allocated for employment development in Eastleigh Borough Council’s Local Plan – meaning that the council wants to see new jobs created in this location to support the balanced growth of Eastleigh and the local area.
In advance of submitting a planning application, a public consultation is being held to encourage local residents to share their views on the draft proposals. The public consultation is running between Thursday 16 January and Wednesday 5 February.
A consultation website (www.navigator-quarter.com) has been created for Navigator Quarter, which contains further details on the proposals. The website also provides an online feedback form for residents to submit their views.
James Digby, Development Director at blocwork, said: “Navigator Quarter is a unique and exciting prospect for the region which, if approved, would be the best-connected new strategic employment site on the South Coast.
“We have an excellent opportunity at Navigator Quarter to drive inward investment, create thousands of new jobs and be a catalyst for further economic growth of the region. We’re looking forward to hearing local people’s views on the draft proposals and would encourage anyone interested to get involved and submit their comments.”
Steve Thurston, Head of Planning and Development at AGS Airports Limited, said: “We’re excited to be partnering with blocwork to bring forward the proposals for Navigator Quarter.
“The site benefits from being part of the Solent Freeport and is in an excellent location with unrivalled transport links by air, road, rail, and sea. The economic, social and community benefits the scheme could deliver for the region are huge.
“The consultation is an important opportunity for local residents and businesses to comment on our draft plans and we look forward to seeing their feedback.”
Navigator Quarter is a special economic zone within Solent Freeport, the UK’s most important gateway to European and global markets.
Solent Freeport is one of eight freeports in England created by government. It is a special economic zone that offers tax and customs incentives to help drive investment and create new jobs.
It will enable the region to capitalise on its strengths in a highly competitive global market and ensure the unique geographic advantage of the region is maximised to benefit the UK economy. A strong track record of international trade through the Solent already evidences the region’s credentials as the nation’s global gateway.