Somers Orchard: First look at plans to replace Horatia House and Leamington House at Portsmouth City Council 'party'

The Party for Somers Town was one of three hosted by the local authority, also including Cosham and Hilsea.

The trio of events were created to provide a chance to engage with local communities about upcoming building projects in their part of the city and to give people the chance to share what they think should happen to the sites.

More than 3,500 people attended the free events.

The CGI images give an idea of what the proposed Somers Orchard building developments could look like. The first image illustrates one of the proposed new housing blocks while the second image shows what a public garden could look like on the site.

Somers Orchard is the new community-chosen name for the project to replace the Horatia and Leamington houses which were condemned in the wake of the Grenfell fire in London.

As well as free ice-cream and face-painting each event also produced an array of support from local organisations with 46 charities, community groups, schools, cost of living advisors, NHS services, mental health support organisations, emergency services, arts, and music and craft specialists coming along to offer people advice, support and free entertainment. From the NHS ambulance service offering CPR education, to Jedi training with Master D-Trill, to marshmallow roasting, they also provided plenty of fun.

The council will now spend time reviewing the feedback, aiming to keep the public both involved and informed as the projects develop.

Cllr Darren Sanders, cabinet member for housing and preventing homelessness, said: ‘It’s great to see so many people helping shape what is after all their future.

‘They want better and greener homes Portsmouth people can afford – so do we. They want more accessible and modern community spaces – so do we.

‘Where it can do it now, the council is already implementing what people said they wanted, so many thanks. This city has a bright future, and I cannot wait to see it delivered.’

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Other projects looked at during the parties include Hilsea Lodge, Hilsea Lido and the Cosham Opportunity Area.

Hilsea Lodge was a supported housing unit, now unused due to no longer being fit for use. The council asked those who attended the parties what type of housing they’d like to see in its place.

While there aren't any plans in place for Hilsea Lido yet, the council were keen to hear people’s thoughts at the community parties on what they think the future of Hilsea Lido should be. This comes following the allocation of £3.5m from the government’s Levelling-Up Funding towards the end of last year.

And in Cosham, the council has a unique opportunity to improve local public spaces, community facilities, transport connections and to create new homes for the people who live there. Again, while no plans have yet been made, the community parties allowed locals to tell the council what they think Cosham needs the most – to thrive now and in the future.