Development Principles

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Tall buildings within the city have the potential, both individually and in clusters to reinforce the identity of a place through the creation of uplifting architecture and in the form of clusters of tall buildings the development of pleasing skylines when viewed from afar, which is of particular importance to the City’s waterfront setting.  In addition, major structures, such as the giant cranes of the container port represent significant landmarks which contribute to the distinct identity of a great maritime city 

As a large urban area, Southampton contains a number of tall buildings such as Moresby Tower at Ocean Village, Centenary Quay Tower, Woolston and the tower blocks at Weston Shore. There are also key historic landmarks such as the campanile of the Civic Centre and the spires of St Michael’s and St Mary’s Churches in the city centre, and the spires of Holy Trinity, Millbrook; Holy Saviour, Bitterne and Christ Church, Fremantle, which provide legible landmarks that have a positive visual influence which stretches well beyond their immediate context.  

The Council would like to further support the delivery of architecturally uplifting tall and landmark buildings to enhance Southampton’s sense of identity, reinforcing a distinctly recognisable place, particularly with regard to the waterfront setting of the city. 

For illustrative purposes only (i.e. these are not actual plans), see the below 3D model clips which show how tall buildings could be used to create a more distinct and interesting skyline for Southampton.

Southampton skyline today:

Example of how new tall buildings (yellow) could make the city skyline more distinctive (illustrative only - not actual plans):

The Council seeks to achieve the highest standards of accessible and inclusive design across all new developments in Southampton. New development should be easily accessible to all potential users and requiring inclusive design will ensure that, through early design intervention, the needs of all potential users can be met. Requiring accessible and inclusive design will also ensure that every new development in Southampton is safe, easily navigable, convenient, and considerate of the diverse needs of all people. This will contribute towards the Council’s aim of Southampton becoming a Child-Friendly City and a city in which people of all ages and abilities, including Disabled People, can have equal opportunities. Likewise, requiring accessible and inclusive homes, workplaces, facilities, and public realm will further enhance the ability for all of Southampton’s current and future residents to live happy, independent and fulfilling lives. 

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In 2015 the Government introduced national internal space and accessibility standards for new homes. These include internal space standards for the overall floorspace and internal dimensions of homes and key rooms and for storage. Since April 2021, all new homes delivered through permitted development rights must meet the national space standards. Local authorities can choose to implement these for new residential development requiring planning permission.  

The council is proposing to adopt minimum standards for all new homes including conversions of existing properties. It does not apply to Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) as standards including room sizes are already in place. It does not apply to purpose built Co-Living schemes that include shared communal spaces, however the policy requires these schemes to provide sufficient space. A proportion of all new residential development must be accessible to people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users.  

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The UK has a legally binding requirement of net zero carbon by 2050. In June 2021, government adopted its sixth carbon budget, which forms part of the route map to achieve net zero carbon by 2050, with a 63% reduction in emissions from 2019 to 2035 (78% relative to 1990). Southampton has an ambitious target for the city to reach net zero by 2035.  

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Temperatures in the UK exceeded 40oC for the first time in recorded history in July 2022. Climate scientists have stated that it is near certain that this record temperature is climate change and sets a worrying precedent for future extreme weather events.  This demonstrates the crucial need to both mitigate any further increases in climate change and adapt to the inevitable effects of what is already in motion. 

The Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and set out actions to address this in the Green City Action Plan. This initially addressed emissions from council buildings and operations. Sustainable design reduces the emissions from new development and helps meet the UK target to reach net zero emissions by 2050. This policy covers overarching sustainability and will set out how the design of developments should take account of our changing climate, for example extreme weather events such as heat waves and flash flooding. Detailed energy and water requirements are set out in policies EN1, DE7, EN8 and EN10.  

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This policy will control how developers should manage the waste generated by construction, how new developments should provide for waste and recycling storage and collection, and how circular economy principles should be considered in development proposals.  

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Shopfronts are an essential element of the commercial activity of Southampton. They make an important contribution to the shopping streets in the City, Town, District and Local Centres and can influence the quality of the environment in Conservation Areas. Pressures to alter shopfronts arise from changing retailers and varying retail methods to attract custom, particularly as retailers adapt and develop to attract customers in post-Covid 19 times.   

Shop frontages need to be designed to take into account the age and style of the buildings in which they are located, and where these are of architectural or historic merit they should be retained and sensitively adapted to meet today’s requirements.   

Advertisements are controlled by specific regulations and guidance.  The regulations specify which advertisements are permitted without the need for consent, which have deemed consent, which need express consent, and the further conditions that apply.  Advertisements can only be controlled for reasons of amenity and public safety (like highway visibility).   

The basic aim is to ensure that at all new developments, a suitable level of vehicle parking is provided in order to avoid the various problems that inadequate parking for vehicles can cause. The Council recognises that there is no reason to significantly constrain residential parking provision, although it is equally important to avoid significant over-provision and to provide adequate parking for cycles and other forms of two wheeled transport. This will help to meet the objectives of the Council’s Green City Charter and the prioritisation of sustainable transport modes and active travel.

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Accelerating the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) is a priority nationally and locally. Electric vehicles can play an important role in reducing emissions of carbon and air pollutants. 

The UK government has committed to banning the sale of new petrol and diesel-powered vehicles from 2030. This commitment is supported by its national EV infrastructure strategy which aims to fast track the rollout of EV charging points, while making charging affordable and effortless.   

Developers will need to play an important role in delivering EV infrastructure, ensuring the demand of occupants and visitors who use EVs can be met well into the future.