Plans are being developed for murals involving local artists, schools, young people and community groups on the hoardings of the stalled student development in Portswood.
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As reported, developers have agreed to the plan to brighten up the outside of the former Portswood Shopping Centre site.
The council (SCC) said the move will bring “colour and creativity to the area and providing an opportunity for local people to help shape how the space looks”.
It added that paint and materials will be provided through sponsorship from Veolia, with further support now being provided by the University of Southampton and John Hansard Gallery.
Local artist and organiser Joanna (Joe) Ross is also being brought into the project to help coordinate artists and develop the artwork, with the ambition of creating a large-scale piece of public art that represents Portswood’s diverse communities and shares positive stories about Southampton, said SCC.
Portswood councillor John Savage (Lab) pushed for the hoardings to help prevent anti-social behaviour on the site.
“I’ve been passionate about getting this project off the ground because I really believe these hoardings can become something positive for Portswood,” said Savage, who also services as the city’s cabinet member for environment and net zero.
“Rather than having a long stretch of bare timber, we have an opportunity to create something colourful, welcoming and genuinely rooted in the community, while helping to discourage antisocial behaviour and give the Broadway a boost.
“I’ve been working closely with Fusion [the developer], local artists, council officers and other partners to develop the idea and build the support needed to make it happen, so it’s fantastic to see the project now moving forward.
In April developers blamed economic challenges for the delay with the 500-bed Portswood Broadway scheme