Plans for new country park in north of Portsmouth move forward

The city council has approved plans to transform the Horsea Island landfill site with environment firm Veolia.

The proposals include space for trees, grass areas, wildflower meadows, footpaths and cycle routes.

It is hoped planting will begin in the autumn.

The finished site will have 52 hectares of public open space – the equivalent size of 86 football pitches.

It is also one of 60 diamond woods being created across the UK as part of the Woodland Trust’s project to mark the Queen’s 60th jubilee, with the planting of 50,000 trees and shrubs.

Portsmouth culture boss Linda Symes said: ‘It is great news that plans for the country park have taken this step forward.’