An arts complex being developed in Southampton has been awarded £7.2m by Arts Council England.

It was agreed last week that the development - to be built on the site of the former Tyrrell and Green building in the city's Guildhall Square - would receive an additional allocation of £1.5m on top of the £5.7m originally offered.

The monies will support a number of changes to the project, including the redesign and relocation of the gallery to the ground floor.

The arts complex, to be built by international developers Grosvenor, will be at the centre of the city's emerging cultural quarter.

Sally Abbott, regional director, Arts Council England said: “This is good news for Southampton, for the local community and the region as whole. Arts Council has been committed to supporting Southampton and the development of its arts provision.

"The new arts complex aims to encourage increased access and participation in the arts among the local community and will contribute to the city and the region’s cultural offer and economy. We will continue working closely with the City Council and the University of Southampton to finalise the way forward.”

The new arts complex will form a major part of the Cultural Quarter in Southampton, alongside the £15m Sea City Museum, which is set to open in 2012, and the newly refurbished Guildhall Square which is set to open soon.