The major Portsmouth regeneration scheme with potential for 2,300 homes has taken a significant step forward

Portsmouth City Centre North could be “one of the most significant” projects on south coast.

Portsmouth City Council has named ECF its preferred partner for City Centre North, a major regeneration project described as one of the south coast’s most significant.

The 13.25-hectare brownfield site could deliver up to 2,300 homes with mixed tenures, workspace, leisure facilities, and a 240,000 sq ft urban park.

City centre north site map. Picture: Portsmouth City Council.

placeholder image — City centre north site map. Picture: Portsmouth City Council.

The scheme aims to improve connections to the city centre and surrounding areas, boosting footfall and supporting local businesses.

It aligns with the council’s broader growth plans, which include the new Portsmouth Business Improvement District.

ECF, a partnership of Homes England’s National Housing Bank, L&G, and Muse, has nearly 25 years of experience delivering complex regeneration projects with UK local authorities.

Its portfolio includes developments such as Manor Road Quarter in Canning Town, Stockport 8, Bradford City Village, Smithgate in Wolverhampton, Greyfriars in Northampton, and Station Gateway in Stevenage.

Sir Michael Lyons, chairman of ECF, said described the project as “one of the most significant regeneration opportunities on the south coast”.

“It has the potential to deliver essential new homes, public space, jobs and connectivity in the heart of Portsmouth, supporting the Council’s wider ambitions for the city.

“ECF has spent more than two decades turning complex, high-potential areas into thriving places, and we are building a growing pipeline of partnerships across the south that reflects exactly this kind of ambition. Portsmouth’s waterfront setting, connectivity and clear ambition make this an exciting place for the partnership.

“We’re looking forward to working with Portsmouth City Council over the coming months to explore the site in detail, test what’s deliverable here, and build the case for how we might take this forward together. I’m certain that, done well, City Centre North will be recognised for years to come as a benchmark for what can be achieved through ambitious, locally-led regeneration.”

Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of the council, said: “It’s fair to say that bringing forward plans for City Centre North has taken longer than anyone would have hoped, but Portsmouth has changed significantly during that time, and so have people’s expectations of what they want from their city centre.

“The way we shop, work and spend our leisure time has evolved, giving us the opportunity to create something that is better suited to the city’s future needs.

“This partnership is an important next step in making sure we get the development right. By working with ECF, we can thoroughly test the options, build a strong evidence base and explore the best way to bring these plans forward.

“We have a real opportunity to create a thriving new neighbourhood with much-needed homes, quality public spaces and opportunities for local businesses, while improving connections between the city centre and waterfront. Our focus is on creating something that will benefit Portsmouth for decades to come.”

The partnership will now explore the site in greater detail and assess what can be delivered before determining how the regeneration could be taken forward.