Major Portsmouth plans back on the agenda

Plans for a major mixed-use scheme in Portsmouth – which would comprise commercial space and more than 800 apartments across a number of blocks – look set to be backed.Vivid Housing is behind the application, which concerns a site at Tipner East.Lined up are 16 blocks of accommodation, with the highest topping out at 11 storeys. Between them, they would comprise 835 residential homes.Elsewhere, there would also be commercial and community areas to be provided within the ground floor of Blocks E, F, J and K.The final use is yet to be determined, although it is “likely to be within” commercial, business and services; learning and non-residential institutions; and local community uses.It is envisaged that block F at the entrance to the site and on the ground floor would be a convenience store, block E would provide a restaurant/café, and block J would offer some form of community space. Block K would be a link between the park and ride/transport hub, and would be flexible in its use but with a focus on more commercial space.If backed, the development would yield economic generation in the form of job provision both during the construction phase and throughout the operational use of the buildings.This application was scheduled to be considered by Portsmouth Council’s planning committee on 18 January. However, due to unresolved objections from the Environment Agency and Coastal Partners in respect of an inadequate Flood Risk Assessment, officers withdrew the application.The applicant then submitted revised documents on 31 January 2023 and both the Environment Agency and Coastal Partners have withdrawn their objections.The proposals are now scheduled to go before the committee on 1 March.