New planting, seating and lighting proposed near South Parade Pier

Portsmouth City Council’s planning committee will consider the application, which covers designs for a segment of Southsea Coastal Scheme stretching from Speaker’s Corner to South Parade Pier.

Many of the finer details for this part of the scheme including lighting, street furniture, landscaping, surfacing and footpaths, were reserved so the public could help shape how the seafront would look.

When the original planning permission was granted, councillors asked for these public-facing elements to return to committee rather than being signed off by officers to give residents opportunity to have their say.

The proposals include new areas of planting along the promenade, with raised planters, coastal wildflowers and shingle surfaces designed to soften the appearance of the defences. The council says the planting reflects Southsea’s natural beach environment and will help improve biodiversity.

Historic lamp columns would be removed, restored and then reinstalled, while new modern lighting would be added in selected areas to improve visibility and safety.

New street furniture such as seating, bins and handrails is also proposed. These would match designs already used elsewhere along the seafront.

Benches and short walls would be added on both sides of the pier to help connect the new sea defences. The pier itself would not be altered, and existing steps and ramps would remain.

Only small changes are planned to nearby roads and footpaths, with the existing layout largely staying the same.

The committee will determine the application on Wednesday February 4, you can read the committee report here.