Southampton City Council�s Planning and Rights of Way Panel members have approved plans for a 225 bedroom hotel and conference facility at Ocean Village Marina, submitted on behalf of Europe�s largest marina operator, Marina Developments Ltd (MDL). This approval follows over four years of work and consultation between Southampton City Council, berth holders and interested parties.

The hotel, to be called the Millennium Hotel Southampton Ocean Village will in the long-term provide an economic boost to the city and be an asset to visitors, tenants and berth holders at Ocean Village Marina. Work is scheduled to start later this year.

Tony Keeler, Managing Director of MDL outlined the benefits this new hotel complex will bring to Southampton and the marina. �Ocean Village Marina is already a popular destination marina and with our developments we intend to provide one of the South Coast�s finest. The addition of a luxury hotel on site, which will have conference and event facilities will only add to the marina�s appeal for organisers of National and International boating events. This move continues our commitment to Southampton and the marine industry in the UK.�

The 15-storey glass-sided five star hotel will be built out into the marina with a landscaped water�s edge Events Piazza. All bedrooms will have marina views and hotel facilities will include a spa, a waterside restaurant and bars with external terraces that maximise the waterfront location and offer sweeping views of Southampton Water and the Solent.

A valuable addition to the marina and the city of Southampton will be the banqueting, conference and events facilities that will accommodate over 650 people. These facilities will be ideal for short-term conversion into event and media centres, which will attract major international boating events. Parking will be provided by the addition of a 776 space multi-storey car park.

Ocean Village Marina�s annual berth holders and visitors will have access to the hotel services and facilities, which include a spa, gym, fitness centre, laundry room, broadband connections and �Room Service� on board their boat.

The Chair of the Panel commended the open and innovative approach to the sustainability of the scheme including the objective to reduce the energy needs of the buildings. The hotel design manages passive solar gain, marina water will be utilised to cool rooms through chilled ceilings and the car park is naturally ventilated. Rainwater will be collected and used to irrigate the enhanced landscaping.

Project Companies: Hotel Operator Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Planning Savills Southampton Architect Resort architects, Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo. Car Park Design London based Tiger Stripe Architects.

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For further information, please contact: David Curtis-Brignell or Katherine Haynes at Millennium and Copthorne Hotels Tel: 020 7872 2472 or 020 7872 2487 Email: david.curtis-brignell@mill-cop.com or katherine.haynes@mill-cop.com

Or Dean Smith at MDL Marinas Tel: (023) 80 450 264 Email: d.smith@mdlmarinas.co.uk

Note to editors: Millennium and Copthorne Hotels comprises over 100 four and five star hotels with 26,673 rooms worldwide in 18 countries. Our World of Hospitality marketing alliance partner Maritim Hotels has 45 hotels with 12,557 rooms in 8 countries. More information from www.millenniumhotels.com www.maritim.com