Doubts thrown over plans for 4,000 home Tipner West development in Portsmouth Lennox Point

THE feasibility of a controversial 'super-peninsula' housing development in Portsmouth has been thrown into doubt amid a debate on climate change.
By Fiona Callingham
Published 16th Mar 2021, 22:06 GMT
Tipner West which would be re-developed into a super peninsula for 4,000 homes. Picture: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife TrustTipner West which would be re-developed into a super peninsula for 4,000 homes. Picture: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Tipner West which would be re-developed into a super peninsula for 4,000 homes. Picture: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

During a discussion on whether the city council should support a new potential environmental bill in parliament, it was revealed that plans for the 4,000-home Tipner West scheme in the north of the city might not get government backing.

As reported, the proposals for Tipner West, also known as Lennox Point, have come under fire from local wildlife groups due to concerns over damage to habitats.

Read More
More than 12,000 people sign petition against Tipner West scheme in Portsmouth
How Tipner West could look if the city council's plans are approved. Picture: Portsmouth City CouncilHow Tipner West could look if the city council's plans are approved. Picture: Portsmouth City Council
How Tipner West could look if the city council's plans are approved. Picture: Portsmouth City Council
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Speaking at a virtual full council meeting yesterday (March 16) the council’s planning policy boss, Councillor Hugh Mason, said: ‘I do not know if we will ever get the government’s permission to build on Tipner West.

‘It makes a lot of sense for us to build there as it’s the last area of brownfield site we have in the city.

‘If we are going to build there we will have to provide biodiversity on the site. There will be a net increase in biodiversity in the south east if we build there, because we will have to meet these government conditions.’

The council has previously said the site, which has been marketed as a ‘car-free community’ is needed to meet housing targets set by the government. And it was claimed the scheme would create thousands of skilled jobs.

SEE ALSO: Plans for car-free community at Tipner West revealed

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During the council debate, Tory councillor Scott Payter-Harris, said it was ‘hypocritical’ for the council administration to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill while pressing ahead with plans for Tipner West.

Cllr Payter-Harris said: ‘They are potentially doing something that will harm the environment.’

More than 22,000 people have now signed a petition created by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds against the council-led project.

The chief executive of HIWWT, Debbie Tann, previously told The News: 'These vital natural resources, once lost, can’t be replaced or compensated for. We urgently need to re-think development at a local and national level.

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'If we don’t start prioritising nature’s recovery, our cities will quickly become uninhabitable for both wildlife and people.'

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