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:
13. Former Slindon Street Post Office hub
It was once a busy Post Office hub, but the sorting, delivery and collection services have been slowly taken away from this city centre site over the decades. The parcel pick up service at Slindon Street was the last to close in 2016 when it was relocated to the north of the city and the building has been largely unused since - with the exception of the Post Office site. Since then planning permission has been secured for the demolition of the eastern side of the former sorting office, which has been unused since 2016, to make way for the new 19-storey building to accommodate new apartments. Permission was also granted to create a 218-bed hotel - except the existing Post Office unit. However, the Post Office is looking at selling off this site - so these plans may change further before any progress is made. We await news. | Google Stretview
14. Venture Tower in Fratton
Plans to convert Venture Tower into student flats have been given the go-ahead despite concerns from local residents about parking and community impact. The development will transform the abandoned Fratton building into a 100-bedroom student residence, featuring extensions, new cladding, and communal facilities. The ground floor, which currently houses shops and takeaways, will remain as commercial space. The project includes a mix of fully accessible rooms, studio apartments, and self-contained units and has been granted planning permission by Portsmouth City Council. Communal areas such as study rooms, a leisure room, a cinema, and a gym will be located between the first and fourth floors, with a shared terrace on the fifth floor. We hope to see some progress in 2026. | -
15. Pryzm, city centre
Pryzm closed with immediate affect at the beginning of 2024 as part of a growing shift in the night time economy away from traditional clubbing. No plans are yet know for the listed building which was also once known as Connaught Drill Hall (TA Centre). So until someone steps forward - the wait will continue! | Google Streetview