Planners at Southampton City Council unanimously approved the project, which will transform two vacant sites - including the former Chantry Hall - and will comprise a four-storey mixed-use development.

A dance studio, a 40-station fitness suite, a restaurant/bar and a café also form part of the scheme, which will provide the city with its first permanent ice rink for more than 20 years.

A spokesperson for Warburg Property Development said: "It was a long debate, with some technical factors debated on the type of use and payments on strategic transport. At the end all the members were in favour of the proposal and outline planning has now been achieved.

"This takes us forward one step nearer to achieving our goal. The next major step is finalising finance, before going on to choose the contractor for the project."

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