Developer praises Portsmouth councillors for approving redevelopment of Kingston Prison

City & Country has praised Portsmouth City Council for granting planning permission for 230 homes – made up of 157 flats and 73 family properties – to be built on the estate.

It comes despite criticism in the nearby community over the plans, which residents say will cause traffic chaos.

There’s also fury over the fact no affordable homes will be included. Tory councillor Steve Hastings described the look of the scheme as ‘square blocks of ice cream against classical buildings’.

But Richard Winsborough, associate director for planning at City & Country, said: ‘Restoring these buildings was of paramount importance to us when we purchased Kingston Prison and we are pleased that members at Portsmouth City Council recognised the need of delivering a new future for the redundant site.

‘As well as providing fantastic, characterful new homes, the development will open up the prison to the wider community and enable the enjoyment of these magnificent buildings for years to come.’