Liberal Democrats unveil ambitious alternative budget for Southampton 2025/26
The Southampton Liberal Democrats have unveiled their alternative budget: a bold, pragmatic, and fully costed plan to tackle the city’s housing crisis, transport failures, and lack of investment in key infrastructure.
Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Sam Chapman, outlined the proposals at today’s budget meeting, stating:
"For years, Southampton has suffered from inaction, delay, and short-term thinking. Our major development sites remain empty, our transport network is broken, and our city’s housing crisis is worsening. Labour has let developers turn prime sites into cruise parking rather than building homes, and their only answer to congestion is to put up roadblocks and bus gates rather than providing real transport solutions.
"Southampton deserves better. This alternative budget is a statement of intent: a vision of a city that works for its residents, attracts investment, and takes control of its future.”
Key proposals in the Liberal Democrats' Budget
✅ £150 million investment to redevelop the derelict Toys R Us site: a shovel-ready scheme with planning permission that will provide new homes, commercial space, and investment in the city centre.
✅ £60 million to create a city-wide Park & Ride network with sites to the east, north, and west of Southampton. This will:
- Serve major employers
- Support the cruise industry
- Provide safe, long-term student parking to clear residential streets
- Support major events, including the Boat Show, Southampton FC home games, university open days, and Christmas markets
- Reduce congestion, making travel easier for residents
✅ Delivering capital projects on time and on budget by establishing an arm’s-length, wholly-owned subsidiary: a commercial entity free from bureaucracy to ensure Southampton finally delivers the infrastructure it needs.
✅ Immediate implementation of a self-financing solar panel scheme at Marlands Car Park: a cost-neutral green energy investment that will cut emissions and support Southampton’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency.
✅ Restoring Southampton’s maritime identity by investing in the cruise industry, major events, and tourism, reversing the damaging impact of an uninspiring city rebrand that fails to reflect Southampton’s history and future ambitions.
A responsible and financially-sound plan
The Liberal Democrats have ensured their proposals are financially responsible. Unlike Labour’s unfunded ‘Rolling Regeneration Fund’, the Liberal Democrats’ budget focuses on tangible, revenue-generating investments.
Cllr Chapman added:
"We are not throwing money at problems — we are solving them responsibly. Our investments will not only pay for themselves but will generate new revenue for the city. The problem is that Labour’s budget is so underdeveloped that even basic revenue forecasts are missing from key projects. If these schemes had been properly planned, their income potential would already be reflected in the council’s budget."
“As a responsible administration-in-waiting, we will not proceed with any scheme unless at least 70% of its costs are demonstrably covered. But we are confident these projects will more than pay for themselves, finally delivering the investment Southampton has been waiting for.”
Delivering where Labour has failed
The Liberal Democrats argue that Southampton’s stagnation is the result of Labour’s failure to act, not a lack of opportunities.
"Everything we are proposing could and should have been done years ago. The reason it hasn’t? Because Labour has chosen not to act.
"They have let developers turn the city into a car park rather than build homes. They have put up roadblocks instead of fixing transport. They have ignored our maritime identity. They have neglected our housing crisis rather than solving it. They blame others rather than implementing change that is already in their gift.
“The Liberal Democrats refuse to accept this complacency. Our alternative budget is a blueprint for a better Southampton — one that prioritises investment, ambition, and long-term prosperity over short-term excuses.”
The Liberal Democrats’ alternative budget will be debated alongside Labour’s proposals at today’s Full Council meeting.
