Once known as Baltic House, the prominent 11-storey office block built in the 1970s sits right at the entrance of our city for those people coming in via the M275. After some changes over the years, plans were approved to convert the Connect Centre into 101 new flats. A separate application also sought to convert the under croft into additional flats has also been approved. However three years has past and there was little progress until updated plans were approved to allow for 175 new homes on the site. New fencing and skips appeared on the site towards the end of the year - so we hope that is a sign that progress will FINALLY be made!placeholder image
Once known as Baltic House, the prominent 11-storey office block built in the 1970s sits right at the entrance of our city for those people coming in via the M275. After some changes over the years, plans were approved to convert the Connect Centre into 101 new flats. A separate application also sought to convert the under croft into additional flats has also been approved. However three years has past and there was little progress until updated plans were approved to allow for 175 new homes on the site. New fencing and skips appeared on the site towards the end of the year - so we hope that is a sign that progress will FINALLY be made! | The News

15 key derelict and sites in Portsmouth - and what the future holds for their redevelopment in 2026

By Kelly Brown

Editor

Published 17th Dec 2025, 11:25 BST
Updated 29th Dec 2025, 08:00 BST

Like many cities, Portsmouth is filled with key development sites which are empty or derelict - with nothing appearing to be happening with them despite plans being drawn up.

While work is well underway on sites such as at Tipner East, the former Debenhams in Southsea site and former St John’s College sites where new housing has been created, there is frustration that other schemes have stalled.

This comes at time when the government has ordered the city council to allow the construction of 899 homes per year between 2020-2040 - that’s 17,980 in total - meaning that the sites for housing have never been more important.

But it is not just about housing. It is about leisure and retail space - and measures which will bring about a much-needed regeneration to areas of our city which need a bit of TLC!

We take a whistle-stop tour across the city to look at 15 key sites across Portsmouth to see what the future (should) have in store for them in 2026, and why works or plans have ground to a halt:

In 2023 last year, Portsmouth City Council reportedly considered using a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to acquire and redevelop the site, which has been abandoned for over a decade and has become a hotspot for fly-tipping. But so far nothing seems to be happening. The property remains under private ownership and that no planning applications or CPOs have been initiated. So at present there are no plans for the site - and no apparent progress on the council buying it either. Until either make a move it is likely to just continue to sit there doing nothing!

5. Kwik Save

In 2023 last year, Portsmouth City Council reportedly considered using a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to acquire and redevelop the site, which has been abandoned for over a decade and has become a hotspot for fly-tipping. But so far nothing seems to be happening. The property remains under private ownership and that no planning applications or CPOs have been initiated. So at present there are no plans for the site - and no apparent progress on the council buying it either. Until either make a move it is likely to just continue to sit there doing nothing! Photo: Sarah Standing

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The last of the landmark building which was The News Centre was demolished last year - changing the Hilsea landscape forever. It was an iconic building in Portsmouth, used by many people to navigate and give directions. Part of the site will be transformed into a new electric bus depot, though at the moment there is little sign of any works - just parked vehicles! However, planning permission has been granted to First Bus so we hope that works will begin in 2026. The search has been continuing to find someone to take on the remainder of the site - but there are now 'sale agreed' signs on the fencing. So hopefully we will not have too much longer to wait to see what is in store!

6. The News Centre

The last of the landmark building which was The News Centre was demolished last year - changing the Hilsea landscape forever. It was an iconic building in Portsmouth, used by many people to navigate and give directions. Part of the site will be transformed into a new electric bus depot, though at the moment there is little sign of any works - just parked vehicles! However, planning permission has been granted to First Bus so we hope that works will begin in 2026. The search has been continuing to find someone to take on the remainder of the site - but there are now 'sale agreed' signs on the fencing. So hopefully we will not have too much longer to wait to see what is in store! | Sarah Standing (300124-4920)

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Horatia and Leamington House tower blocks were both fully demolished in November 2022, but now there is a major city centre development that aims to add hundreds of new homes, commercial spaces, and public areas to the area. The project, called the Somers Orchard development, includes two main proposals that could significantly transform Somerstown - replacing Horatia House and Leamington House. Two plans have been submitted, including this one, which together form a 'masterplan' for the redevelopment which will result in the creation of more than 500 new homes and several green spaces across Somers Town. While the project is much-anticipated news on a timeline is still awaited. A city council spokesperson said: "Work is ongoing and progressing positively to review the delivery options for Somers Orchard. Further updates are expected early in 2026." So watch this space! Pictured: Residents and councillors at the site after demolition, via Portsmouth City Council

7. Site of the Horatia and Leamington House tower blocks, Somerstown

Horatia and Leamington House tower blocks were both fully demolished in November 2022, but now there is a major city centre development that aims to add hundreds of new homes, commercial spaces, and public areas to the area. The project, called the Somers Orchard development, includes two main proposals that could significantly transform Somerstown - replacing Horatia House and Leamington House. Two plans have been submitted, including this one, which together form a 'masterplan' for the redevelopment which will result in the creation of more than 500 new homes and several green spaces across Somers Town. While the project is much-anticipated news on a timeline is still awaited. A city council spokesperson said: "Work is ongoing and progressing positively to review the delivery options for Somers Orchard. Further updates are expected early in 2026." So watch this space! Pictured: Residents and councillors at the site after demolition, via Portsmouth City Council Photo: Portsmouth City Council

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There is huge frustration with this site - as no-one seems to be able to given an update about its future. The Southsea department store closed its doors on July 13, 2019, after trading for more than 150 years. Since then, developers THAT Group secured planning permission in 2022 to redevelop the former John Lewis outlet on Palmerston Road. The plans, initially approved by the council in 2019, had to be reconsidered due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The current proposal includes a 43-bedroom hotel, two cinemas, office spaces, a gym, retail establishments, food and drink bars, and an indoor food market. However, since planning permission was granted, there has been visibly little progress on the site and no-one has been able to contact the developer. The city council has talked about looking at a compulsory purchase of the building, but so far this has not progressed. Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan is also getting involved to try to get something moving. This has been made all the more frustrating by the fact the work to transform the old Debenhams site on the opposite side of the precinct is going great guns! We really hope that 2026 will bring some sort of news.

8. Knight & Lee, Southsea

There is huge frustration with this site - as no-one seems to be able to given an update about its future. The Southsea department store closed its doors on July 13, 2019, after trading for more than 150 years. Since then, developers THAT Group secured planning permission in 2022 to redevelop the former John Lewis outlet on Palmerston Road. The plans, initially approved by the council in 2019, had to be reconsidered due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The current proposal includes a 43-bedroom hotel, two cinemas, office spaces, a gym, retail establishments, food and drink bars, and an indoor food market. However, since planning permission was granted, there has been visibly little progress on the site and no-one has been able to contact the developer. The city council has talked about looking at a compulsory purchase of the building, but so far this has not progressed. Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan is also getting involved to try to get something moving. This has been made all the more frustrating by the fact the work to transform the old Debenhams site on the opposite side of the precinct is going great guns! We really hope that 2026 will bring some sort of news. | That Group Photo: That Group

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