"Positive market interest” Much-anticipated scheme to revamp the city centre to take a major step forward
The much-anticipated scheme to revamp the north of the city centre is expected to take a major step forward thanks to a key report which outlines the “positive market interest” shown in the regeneration project.
Hundreds of new homes, new commercial spaces as well as new public spaces would be created as part of the City Centre North scheme, as well as changes to the road layouts to take traffic around the outside of the area instead of through it.
A report is set to be presented to Portsmouth City Council's Cabinet on February 10 outlining the potential next steps for the urban quarter scheme following work carried out by specialists led by Mace Consult and supported by Montagu Evans and Vail Williams.
As a result, the council is expected to approve beginning the process of selecting a Master Developer who will oversee this large-scale, long-term development project of the area which includes the former Tricorn and Sainsbury’s sites, with the latter currently the home of Pitt Street Skatepark and the first currently used as a carpark.
If approved this move will cost £2.63m, with £18.22m having already been spent on the scheme so far including for the purchase of land.
Early phases of the scheme are expected to bring forward more than 900 new homes, new commercial space, and improved public spaces, with the wider masterplan retaining the vision for up to 2,300 homes over the full life of the project.
The Cabinet report also confirms continued progress on the City Centre Roads project to reroute traffic to reduce congestion on Market Way and Commercial Road, which will make land available for the scheme as well as create improved public transport corridors.
Detailed design and construction plans are expected for this part of the scheme next year, as well as planning applications for the first phase of the development.
Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “We are now in a position to move forward confidently into the next phase of the project. The strong interest we’ve seen from developers shows that Portsmouth is a city people want to invest in, and that our approach is the right one.
"City Centre North is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape our city centre for the future, before local government reorganisation takes place. By taking this next step, we’re making sure that this momentum continues. Meanwhile, we'll continue to work with the owners of privately-held sites across the city centre to bring forward other developments.”
Louise Sunderland, Head of Cities and Places, Europe, at Mace Consult, added: “Mace has worked with Portsmouth City Council for over a decade, so we know first-hand how impactful the City Centre North scheme will be for the city and wider region. We are bringing our development advisory expertise, having supported authorities across the UK, to help deliver new homes, commercial and public spaces to benefit local people.
“Together with Montagu Evans and Vail Williams, we’re excited to lead a collaborative team supporting the Council in the next stages of selecting a Master Developer.”
The city council’s cabinet report can be found here and the consultant’s report here.
Other development sites in the city
News of the progress on the project comes at a time when there has also been progress and opportunities for other locations around the city centre, including to the south at the old Post Office sorting office site and the Matalan site, as well as in Crasswell Street.
The list of other city centre sites available for development are:
- Crasswell Street - owned by Investin Plc, the site is currently a 782-space multi-storey car park with a Tesco superstore at ground floor level. It has been earmarked for a potential for a mixed-use scheme., though is expected to continue to need to provide essential parking facilities for the city centre.
- Slindon Street Hotel - Planning consent was granted in October 2024 (ref: 20/00152/FUL) for the conversion of the former Post Office sorting office into a 220-bed hotel. This hotel is expected to play an important role in the wider regeneration of the Slindon Street area. A franchise agreement has been signed with Fairfield by Marriott, with Cycas Hospitality appointed as the hotel’s operator. The site owner is Investin Plc.
- Slindon Street Residential - Investin Plc own the freehold of this site, adjacent to the proposed hotel development. A full planning application (ref: 24/01246/FUL) has been submitted to Portsmouth City Council for the demolition of the existing depot and delivery of 102 apartments across six storeys (G+5). An outcome is expected shortly.
- Station Street - The former Matalan store and carpark could be used for a number of regeneration opportunities, including residential, offices, leisure, and retail. Welbeck CP acquired the site in December 2021. Planning permission for a four-storey office block was previously granted to be built on the carpark for HMRC, but it has since decided not to relocate meaning fresh plans can now be put forward.