Business South’s most recent Regenerate South Action Group meeting brought together representatives from a wide range of local authorities, consultancies, property and planning firms, architects, legal practices, transport operators, education providers and business organisations to hear updates on key projects, developments and actions taking place across the region.
The group’s chair, Gavin Hall (Savills), first welcomed Tim Guymer (New Forest District Council), who provided an update on the New Forest Waterside programme. He covered progress on the A326 transport improvements, Fawley Waterside, Solent Gateway and the emerging Totton Masterplan. The presentation and subsequent discussion highlighted the role of strategic infrastructure investment in supporting economic growth, housing delivery and employment opportunities.
Director of Investment and Development Amena Matin (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council) outlined the authority’s approach to unlocking stalled development sites. BCP is working with landowners, Homes England and investors to address viability challenges and bring forward sites capable of delivering thousands of new homes, while also exploring wider regeneration and town centre opportunities.
Regenerate South’s newly established Taskforce group, which is focused on addressing stalled sites across the region, was represented by its leader, Cat White (Turley). She updated the wider Action Group on the taskforce’s work to develop a regional evidence base to better understand barriers to delivery and identify practical actions that could help unlock development across the region. If you are interested in joining the Taskforce Group, please contact our Action Group Coordinator joe@businesssouth.org.
Kate Pearce from Business South shared a positive update following the region’s participation at MIPIM and UKREiiF 2026, highlighting that this year’s UKREiiF was Business South’s most successful to date.
The meeting reinforced the importance of public and private sector collaboration in driving regeneration, housing delivery and economic growth across Central South England. The next Regenerate South Action Group meeting will take place on 19 August 2026.
