Recent Site history
History
This is the history of the site, rather than that of Ice in Southampton. The later is now given on a separate page in this section.
Warburg Property Development Limited (WPD) was formed in 2003 and has so far undertaken only residential development. However, several commercial projects have been investigated particularly in relation to this site.
WPD came accross this site in an unusual way - the Director Colin Warburg, was working with the community, and was asked if something might be done to save the old Chantry Hall (then present on this site). A long story short - a group of the community came together and formed Chantry Hall Trust (Southampton), who looked to secure the hall and find funds to restore it.
The site was eventually purchased by WPD on the basis that they would build on the Western part of the site (triangular) and provide some seed money to help the Trust with the restoration of the hall.
All was going well with funding secured from architectural Heritage for initial works as well as some local funding from the Police, Southampton Voluntary Services, Central Neighbourhood partnerships and others, and the leaking roof (one of only two Welsh slate roofs in Southampton) on the building was repaired.
Planning was secured by WPD for a 6 storey build on the Western site giving retail, office and 36 residential units. A sum was agreed to be given to Chantry Hall Trust (Southampton) when build started.
Funding was moving forward well with a professional funder engaged and good expectation for a substantial grant from Heritage Lottery for between £1-2Million.
Then disaster struck and the hall was broken into in June 2007. To keep warm a fire was lit - on the cleared timber floor! Naturally the fire spread, and a passing police car noted the smoke and helped the person to safety. The building was checked for further people before the fire brigade arrived. By then the fire was well established and the whole roof was lost along with most of the internal features.
All funding was withdrawn and attempts to raise further support failed. The building was now dangerous and was delisted before being demolished.
The site was cleared in Spring 2009. It was then that it was realised that the site was potentially big enough to house an Ice facility - a similar scheme had already been designed by WPD 2 years earlier on a site just North of this site.
Initial sketches were drawn up and discussed with planners. No major issues appeared and so it was decided to work up the plans further.
Today although funding is by no means guaranteed, it was decided to go ahead with planning. On the basis that once planning was secured (assuming it is), then access to funding would be easier.
Some pictures of the site as it was are provided below. 
Pictures above show the site before the fire - External of Chantry hall, Kwik Fit Garage, The setting of Chantry, Kwik Fit and petrol Station and view from East along Chapel Road.
Pitures above are also before the fire - showing the seal of St. Mary's Church, the internal of the main hall, and the start of the demolition of Kwik Fit Garage.
Pictures in June 2007 just after the fire, showing the damage to the main building and roof.
Internal damage caused by the fire in June 2007.
Further pictures to be added showing the site cleared.
Roof after fire