Rival parties have say on council’s plans to regenerate Portsmouth
Local political parties have called out the Liberal Democrat-controlled city council on its regeneration agenda for Portsmouth.
The council said it aims to transform Portsmouth by creating “thousands” of new jobs and homes, boosting the local economy while creating a strong sense of place and improving transport options.
Additionally, regeneration projects play “a big role” in strengthening communities and tackling health, social and economic inequalities in the city.
In the city centre, the council has tabled three regeneration projects, including the city centre north scheme which was granted planning permission in October last year.
The development between Hope Street, Charlotte Street and Commercial Road will provide 2,300 homes, 10,00 sqm of commercial space and a 7,000sqm park, but the Labour Party, ahead of next week’s local elections, has said more needs to be done to boost the city centre.
Another large development proposal, Tipner West, has been forged by the council since 2014 when the government granted Portsmouth £48.75m to explore how the area could be regenerated.
The site, which can be found opposite the M275 to the park and ride, has legal protections for wildlife which has complicated the scheme’s progress.
The plans aim to create a minimum of 814 homes and a maximum of 1,250, alongside 58,000sqm of marinefocused employment space.
Portsmouth City
Council leader Steve
Pitt said that a report on the local development plan, containing details on Tipner West, was postponed so that the council could “investigate with DLUC (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) around what their thoughts were”.
“Those meetings have taken place, there will be a report published around the first week in May and then a cabinet meeting for the local plan to come to full council,” the Liberal Democrat councillor said.
Two coastal regeneration projects are currently underway: the South Sea Defence Scheme, set to be completed in 2029, and the North Portsea Island Coastal Scheme, due to finish in 2026.
Recently finished schemes include the King George V football complex in Cosham, launched in February this year.
Additionally, Victoria Park underwent a four-year transformation, supported by National Lottery funds.
Cllr Pitt said that while the council wants more regeneration, its key priority is to have “ovenready schemes so that when the right funding source becomes available, we are in really good shape to put in high-quality bids and secure money”.
Labour’s group leader, Cllr Charlotte Gerada, said that despite the council’s efforts, residents tell her how “disappointed” they are at the city’s retail sector.
She said: “Our high streets are drab, litter-strewn and full of boarded-up premises. In all our shopping streets, from Cosham to Southsea, much-loved businesses have closed.
“Plans have been announced for the former Debenhams sites in Commercial Road and Southsea – yet nothing appears to be happening.
“We see no strategy from the Lib Dems for revitalising our high streets, just failed plan after failed plan. On top of that, the chaos in the planning department and lack of vision are holding our city back.
“Labour will support residents and businesses to breathe new life into our shopping areas. We’ll reform business rates to bring down costs. We will allow communities to lease empty shops and buildings for use by and for local people. And we’ll use empty shops for pop-up galleries, showcasing artworks held by the city’s museum service and celebrating local artists and creatives.
“We want to see the speeding up of infrastructure projects to grow the economy and create skilled jobs. We’d lobby the government for the investment we deserve.
“The public doesn’t trust the Lib Dems on this because they can’t get the basics right. Labour has a proud record of investing in the International Port, delivering on Gunwharf Quays and the genuinely affordable homes families need.”
Copnor councillor Lewis Gosling said the Conservatives want to see “real change” in the city.
He said: “A Conservativeled administration would look to move out of the
Civic Offices and into Commercial Road, to help boost consumer footfall but also opening up the potential for the redevelopment of the current Civic Offices site to provide high-end office space as well as a potential site for restaurants and bars.
“We would finally get the long-awaited Tipner West development underway, which will provide new environmental protections and will enhance the current nature reserve part of the site.
“For the regeneration project at Tipner, we will consult with the government, to work to secure the funding needed, working together with Homes England to get this project off the ground at long last.
“Any relocation of the Civic Offices must be done to benefit Portsmouth council tax payers. The potential income from the sale of the current site, along with income from our office sharing arrangements with partners that we already have, will enable us to move into a modern, fit-for-purpose office to allow the council to move forward into a new period of innovation that looks to ensure council services be improved and monitored.”