Portsmouth Grammar School given green light for common rooms and pre-school

Portsmouth Grammar School will get new common rooms and accommodate a pre-school after plans were approved by Portsmouth City Council.

The council approved a planning application and listed building consent for internal alterations at the historic private day school.

The plans include internal alterations involving the “creation of larger openings to form new common rooms and to accommodate a pre-school”.

External works include new railings, three “canopy structures” and changes to the building’s fenestration.

The listed building consent was approved subject to conditions requiring the work to follow the approved plans and materials.

Planning documents also warned of underground gas mains, including the risk of damage to pipes, leaks and safety issues.

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a co-educational independent school catering for pupils aged two to 18, with approximately 1,000 pupils enrolled.

It was founded in 1732 following the dying wish of Dr William Smith, a former Portsmouth mayor and physician to the garrison.

The full plans can be viewed on the council’s planning portal under references 26/00033/FUL and 26/00034/LBC.