By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Southampton councillors have pledged to do everything in their power to protect a much-loved cinema stay at its current building in Ocean Village.

 

The pledge to support Harbour Lights Picturehouse comes after a proposed masterplan for the area suggested the site could be redeveloped in the future as part of a high-rise focused vision.

Resident Wyn Jeffery made a passionate speech supporting the cinema, bar and café, which has been open for more than 30 years.

She said: “Harbour Lights is part of our past, our present and our future.

“Let us hold it tight, protect it and treasure it.”

Ms Jeffery said the building, its location and its programming all intertwined to play a vital part in Southampton’s cultural offering.

 Harbour Lights Picturehouse cinema at Ocean Village, Southampton. Photo: supplied

She described the facility as an “emblem of Southampton at its best”, describing it as “an open, welcoming and cosmopolitan city”.

Her deputation at full council on Wednesday, July 15, was followed by a motion from Labour Bargate councillor Ginnie Lambert.

Cllr Lambert’s proposal included a commitment by the local authority to do everything in its power to retain Harbour Lights in its current building and location in any future plans.

She said: “It is appreciated that the city needs to evolve and a successful regeneration is essential, however, the most successful masterplans build on the distinctive qualities that already exist.

“Increasingly the retention and adaptation and integration of significant buildings is recognised not only as the most environmentally sustainable approach but also the best way to create places of character and continuity.”

The motion was altered following an amendment tabled by the Green Party.

This change saw guarantees to progress the site’s inclusion on Southampton’s list of locally important buildings of architectural or historic interest and to submit an application to Historic England for the National Heritage List for England.

Green Party Bargate member Luke Reynolds said he welcomed the original motion and its central premise, but he believed it needed to be strengthened.

He said it should spell out concrete steps the council could take.

Cllr Reynolds said: “It is much more than simply a cinema.

“It is a community space, a venue for independent film, a place for local artists, community groups and education.”

Conservative Sholing councillor James Baillie said the motion was from the Labour administration, so it could already be taking action without coming to full council.

But he questioned what was within the council’s power given the site is privately owned.

As reported, MDL Marinas said their masterplan exercise was exploring the long-term evolution of Ocean Village over the next 20 to 30 years and starting a conversation with residents, businesses and stakeholders about what that future might look like.

During a public consultation, documents listed a preferred development density and identified eight sites as having potential, including Harbour Lights Picturehouse, the former Injoy play centre and residential Tasman Court.

This approach could see up to 1,600 homes built across the area.

MDL Marinas’s parent company Yattendon Group is a major landowner in the area.

Speaking last month, an MDL Marinas spokesman said sites identified as having potential should not be interpreted as a proposal for redevelopment and the future of these buildings would be a matter for respective leaseholders and property interests.

Previously
Harbour Lights cinema seeks support over Ocean Village redevelopment plans