Portsmouth's former Guildhall Walk GP surgery could be turned into shops and flat
A former Portsmouth doctors GP surgery could become shops and a flat
The former GP surgery in Guildhall Walk could become shops and a flat, following plans submitted to Portsmouth City Council.
Plans submitted by PLC Architects outline proposals for 27 Guildhall Walk, describing a scheme to divide the ground floor, retain the first floor, and convert the upper level into a single residential unit.
Planning documents state the development would include the “retained ground floor commercial floorspace, splitting the floor space into two units” alongside “one self-contained residential dwelling.
The plans were submitted on behalf of Kensington Properties (southern).
Located on what is described as a “vibrant, mixed-use street”, the three-storey building sits among a mix of retail, leisure and residential uses in Portsmouth city centre.
The document highlights the location’s accessibility, noting it’s short walking distance to Portsmouth & Southsea Railway Station and several bus routes.
No external changes to the building’s appearance are proposed, with the plans confirming there would be no alteration to its “existing external mass and materials”.
The statement argues the scheme would make better use of the site while maintaining its role in the city centre. It adds it would “deliver a high-quality mixed-use scheme” that “retains active commercial frontage” and “makes efficient use of urban land”.
Previous planning history for the site includes approval for a hotel conversion in 2023, while an earlier proposal for flats was refused in 2020.
In September 2021 the former Portsmouth Clinical Commissioning Group shut the Guildhall Walk Healthcare Centre due to “uncertainty” around the building’s future.
The surgery served around 8,400 patients who were transferred to Southsea Medical Centre, Somers Town Surgery and the University medical centre.
Later in 2023, the North Harbour Medical Group in Cosham closed down due to severe staffing shortages.
Residents can view and comment on the plans for Guildhall Walk using the planning reference 26/00411/FUL.