By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
A petition urging Southampton City Council to build a theme park on the Toys R Us site has ended with a dozen signatures.
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The building off Western Esplanade has sat derelict since the retailer collapsed in 2018 bar a brief spell when it stored donations for Ukrainian refugees two years ago.
A huge proposal for the site from developer Packaged Living has full planning permission to deliver 600 build-to-rent flats, restaurants and shops.
However as reported, earlier this year a resident submitted an online petition for an alternative use of the 4.8-acre plot.
The resident said: “Southampton has no dedicated theme park within the city and building a small theme park onto the site could bring more tourists into the area.”
They suggested striking a deal with Warner Bros Studios, Disney or the team at Paultons Park in Ower or Legoland in Windsor.
The resident went further, including suggested facilities at the theme park with two roller coasters, a small water park, a 4D cinema experience, a retro gaming resort, a monorail and a kerb-segregated cycle track.
The petition ran for six months from February to August and received 12 signatures.
In April, council leaders approved an extension and alteration to the commercial terms of the agreement with Packaged Living for the residential and commercial redevelopment, which has been called the Maritime Gateway scheme.
The initial deadline to meet the conditions of the agreement had been set for June this year.
Cllr Sarah Bogle, cabinet member for economic development, said the developer had faced setbacks in 2023 due to “macroeconomic issues”, such as interest rates, inflation and the supply chain.
A council report said Packaged Living had seen “positive trends” in 2024 which would support the delivery of the project.
The scheme includes levelling the site and building four blocks between seven and 25 storeys. A fifth eight-storey building could be added to the development but there has not been a decision on its use.
There will also be a new pedestrian route, International Maritime Promenade, which will link Southampton Central Railway Station and the waterfront.
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