Bright House, Superdrug, and Bon Marche shops could be demolished for 591 new student homes in Portsmouth

A 'CLUSTER' of three tower blocks could be built in the city centre to house almost 600 students - but claims have been made that they are 'not needed.'
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Members of the public are being asked to have their say on newly released plans for the student halls in 12-28 Arundel Street, in Landport, that include a six-storey, 20-storey and 27-storey building.

If approved the 591-home project put forward by Fusion Students would see the block of shops including Bright House, Superdrug, and Bon Marche.

Read More
Plans for 22-storey tower block criticised
How the student halls in Arundel Street could look. Picture: Fusion StudentsHow the student halls in Arundel Street could look. Picture: Fusion Students
How the student halls in Arundel Street could look. Picture: Fusion Students
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Paul Miles, the development director of Fusion Students said: 'We believe our high-quality offer to students, including an in-house gym, basketball court and cinema room, will attract students to live in the city centre, increasing footfall and activity in this part of the city centre.

'We have been discussing our proposals with Portsmouth City Council for a number of months and are now ready to present them to the public to receive feedback, before submitting a planning application.'

It is proposed each block will be connected internally but each will face a separate street and have its own specific design.

However, representative for the area, Councillor Claire Udy, said: 'We do not need more student halls in Portsmouth.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

'We need homes for the residents who are on the waiting list in Portsmouth.'

It comes as plans for a 22-storey block in Arundel Street - that were recently approved by the city council - came under fire for lack of affordability.

Cllr Udy added: 'With the newly accepted development on the old Shopmobility site not willing to take residents off the housing list, it is very clear that the Commercial Road area is quickly becoming a place not for Portsmouth people, and that residents who live in social housing in the immediate area will not be welcome.

'It's gentrification.'

The plans are available to view and comment on at arundelstreet.co.uk or by calling a member of the project team on 07342 039 444 and asking for a copy to be posted.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The consultation period is open until midnight on Sunday, November 29.

If approved by the city council at a later date it is planned the homes will be ready by late 2024.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news online - as well as less adverts, access to our digital edition and mobile app.

Our trial offer starts from £2 a month for the first two months.

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.