Former Debenhams and East Street Shopping Centre Sites
This area is in transition. The former East Street Shopping Centre has been demolished and Debenhams have closed their store, vacating the Queens Building. Following the demolition of the East Street Shopping Centre, the continuation of East Street has been recreated as a pedestrian route to reconnect the city centre with the community of St Marys. To the north of the recreated street, new student accommodation has been provided (new build and a conversion of Capitol House from offices). The site to the south remains vacant (there is a resolution to grant planning permission for a hotel, which is not currently being progressed). A planning application has been received for a residential led redevelopment of the Queens Building (former Debenhams store).
The recreated East Street forms part of the wider Itchen Riverside strategic link, from the city centre through to St Marys and the Itchen Riverside. It is important to maintain and enhance this link, and to enhance the setting of the Central Parks.
The site currently lies within the primary shopping area. Policy IN2 includes an option to either retain or remove this area from the primary shopping area. The decision taken on this for the next version of the plan will determine the range of uses suitable for the site.
