Plans to demolish Portsmouth shops for up to 600 student homes submitted

A planning application has now been submitted to redevelop a shopping site in Arundel Street, in Landport, into a part seven-storey, part 21-storey and part 28-storey tower block.

If approved by Portsmouth City Council's planning committee at a later date the proposals will involve knocking down a row of shops along the street currently made up of S&D Sparkles, Comic Book XS, Superdrug, and Bon Marche for 589 homes.

The plans are a slightly amended version of a scheme that developers Fusion Students asked residents to provide feedback on in November last year - which included 591 homes and proposed one fewer storey on each section.

Paul Miles of Fusion Students said: ‘Our proposals for Arundel Street will provide much needed, high-quality purpose-built student accommodation in the heart of the city centre. The development will provide homes for 589 students by September 2024, alongside retail space, and provide a significant boost to the Portsmouth's economy.’

SEE ALSO: Portsmouth council set to buy empty student homes to house rough sleepers

It comes after frustrated shopkeepers in Arundel Street backed a petition against the development, which has now been signed by more than 200 people.

Since the application was submitted to the council two objections have been raised by residents. In her objection, resident of nearby block Chandos Rise - Mrs Fraser - said: 'I have received letters and leaflets through my door from councillors and MPs saying that they want to make Portsmouth less polluted, yet here we are, considering building a 28-storey accommodation block for students near a very polluted train station and port.

'There are countless empty buildings that could be converted and used for student housing and more urgently, affordable housing for single people.'

Previously a spokesman for Fusion Students commented: 'Fusion Students believe that there is a demand for purpose-built student accommodation in Portsmouth, which will continue to grow before our development is completed in 2024. We’re proposing a new retail store in our proposals, which along with our development will ensure that Arundel Street remains active.’

A decision on plans will be made at a future planning meeting.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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