A planning application for a new £100m leisure-led mixed-use development, adjacent to the WestQuay retail park, has been submitted to Southampton City Council as part of the £1.7bn regeneration of the city.

Submitted by developer Hammerson, which also created the WestQuay shopping precinct, the second phase of the scheme - called Watermark WestQuay - will offer a 3,500sq m park and public plazza next to the city's historic city wall. Other proposed facilities on the 2.2-hectare brownfield site include a multiplex Cinema de Lux (operated by National Amusements), a 150-bedroom hotel, restaurants and cafés, and a 200 apartment residential tower.

The project is being designed by Foreign Office Architects, and is in collaboration with the city council. Councillor Royston Smith, cabinet member for Economic Development, said: “Despite the global credit crunch, Southampton will continue to push forward - having the courage to act boldly now to ensure that it has a prosperous future.

"Watermark West Quay is a major part of this vision, the plans detail a new public plaza set against the incredible backdrop of the city’s medieval walls and the proposed building offers stunning iconic design." “This proposal also delivers a wide range of fantastic leisure attractions and opportunities. This planning application offers real prospects for the future and with it there is a promise of 1000 new jobs and many more visitors to the city."