Residents fight homes plan for former Portsmouth prison

Up to 230 flats have been earmarked for Milton’s former Kingston Prison site.

The move has outraged locals who feel this number of extra homes would bring the area’s infrastructure to its knees.

Terence Paige, of Bowler Court, said the block of flats would tower over his home.

The 47-year-old, who works for BAE Systems in Portsmouth, said: ‘I won’t see any sunshine in my garden until midsummer because of the flats.

‘Everyone I have spoken to is dead against it.

‘It’s putting too much pressure on an infrastructure that is already at breaking point.’

A petition calling on the city council to reject the plans has already been backed by more than 200 people.

Campaigners fear the scheme, combined with the nearby development of more than 200 homes at St James’ Hospital, will create congestion chaos at Baffins Road roundabout and increase the area’s parking woes.

Lib Dem councillor Darren Sanders said: ‘The roads are not bust yet but they are creaking very badly.’

He said developers could have been ‘more imaginative’ and created a hotel or museum on the site to boost city trade.

He added: ‘Instead we’re left with something that will make congestion worse and is out of keeping with the area.’

Jail owners City & Country are holding an information session for residents at the prison on February 24, from 3pm to 7pm.

It will be a chance to see the plans and give their views about them.

For details about the event, call 0808 168 5754.