Plans for £38m development of 150 homes in Leigh Park moves a step closer

Portsmouth City Council's housing boss, Councillor Darren Sanders, endorsed the use of £260,000 to create more detailed plans for the 18-acre project.

It is planned the development, known as Cabbagefield Row, will be built on land north of Swanmore Road and provide around 105 homes for people on Portsmouth's waiting list, and 45 for those on Havant Borough Council's list.

However, during a housing meeting members were wary about pledging funds this early on if outline plans were then rejected.

Conservative spokesman for housing at the council, Cllr Scott Payter-Harris, said: 'We are not at a design stage yet and you're going to spend £260,000.

'Usually we have much more of a complete picture. I almost have the feeling this is being rushed and I question why.

'This does concern me.'

But Cllr Sanders said plans would go ahead.

'I don't believe there's a case of “this site is not happening”, the question is “what is happening”,' he said.

'I don't think it's a case of £260,000 down the drain.'

Housing activist and Labour spokesman, Cllr Cal Corkery, welcomed the proposals.

He said: 'Are we proposing to provide any new community facilities and have we done any assessments on what community facilities they would like?'

Cllr Sanders agreed. 'The site should be as green as possible, there should be some community facilities in there,' he said.

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Leigh Park is within the Havant borough but much of its housing was built by and is managed by Portsmouth City Council, which is why the authorities plan to share dwellings provided by the new development.

There are currently about 2,300 people on Portsmouth’s waiting list.

A report on the scheme, which was heard at the meeting, estimated building the 150 social homes on the site will cost around £38m, with an initial £260,000 required to create designs.

It is not yet known if 100 per cent of the homes will be rented at a social level or whether some will be classed as affordable homes.

Once the designs are created they will need planning permission to go ahead.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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