Report recommends mothballing spaces after assessments found increased fire risks

Underground car parks beneath four tower blocks could be mothballed, with the council exploring whether they could be converted into new homes.

Portsmouth City Council will consider closing the underground car parks after fire risk assessments found they pose a fire risk.

Councillor Darren Sanders, cabinet member for housing and tackling homelessness, will decide whether to close the car parks on August 5.

The car parks are beneath council tower blocks in Estella Road and Grafton Street, in Nelson ward, and Westminster Place and Wingfield Street, in Charles Dickens ward.

The council says the parking areas, which were originally built for vehicles, are now widely used for storage and, in some cases, commercial lettings.

Fire risk assessments found the current use of the spaces would require major safety upgrades if they were to remain open.

The report states: “The underground parking areas have been identified as a fire risk due to increased regulation following the Grenfell Tower block tragedy and the changed use of the space over time, including storage of large items, and the potential for ignition and spread of fire from within the underground parking areas.

“The recommendation to close these areas is not made lightly. Portsmouth Homes recognises the impact this will have on those residents, leaseholders and commercial users who currently rely on the spaces.

“Although closure will result in the loss of some parking, storage andcommercial use, the alternative would require a level of investment that isdisproportionate to the benefit provided by these spaces.

“Current risks are being managed through interim mitigation measures, including regular checks and ongoing repairs and maintenance.”

Fire engineers advised that sprinkler systems and mechanical ventilation would need to be installed for the car parks to remain in use.

Business cases found that keeping the spaces open would result in losses of between £1m and £3.8m over a 30-year period, depending on the site and the option chosen.

Instead, officers are recommending the spaces are mothballed to “avoid incurring the significant capital and ongoing revenue costs”.

There are currently 321 underground units across the four sites, with 252 occupied and two commercial agreements in place.

If approved, the closures would be be phased over the next six months, beginning with Estella Road, followed by Grafton Street, Westminster Place and Wingfield Street.

The report says Portsmouth Homes will contact affected residents, leaseholders and commercial users directly, explaining the reasons for the decision and offering support where possible.

Cllr Sanders will decide whether to commission a feasibility study into converting the underground spaces for “residential purposes, for example council homes”, with the findings to be presented in a future report.