Southsea’s zig-zag paving set to go as new sea defence plans approved
Councillors have bid farewell to the paved zig-zags on Southsea promenade after revised plans for the area’s sea defences were approved.
Portsmouth City Council’s planning committee has signed off three applications making minor changes to the sea defences between the Pyramids Centre and South Parade Pier.
The first application sets out plans for a widened beach to help dissipate wave energy, a stepped revetment as the primary defence, and a concrete wall at the back of the promenade as secondary protection.
Terraced planters will provide soft landscaping and separate the road from the promenade, which will be raised to five metres above sea level. New seating and short walls will be added on both sides of the pier to tie the new defences together. The pier will not be altered, and the current steps and ramps will remain.
Councillor Hugh Mason said the revised designs would “certainly” improve the public realm.
The planning committee, council officers and Coastal Partners were praised by Cllr Lee Hunt, who described the project as an investment that protects both homes and the visitor economy. “This has gone down so well city wide and in the region,” he said.
Councillor Judith Smythe gave a “eulogy” to the iconic zig-zag paving, which will be largely removed from the seafront after the works. She credited those who created the snake-like pattern, saying it had delighted “generations of children”.
A separate application to remove, repair and reinstate listed lamp columns was also approved, along with plans for new paving beneath the pier canopy.
Cllr Hunt said the council has “been worried” about South Parade Pier for decades and has worked to secure its future – “it has happened,” he said.
Residents can view the full plans on the council’s website.
All the plans form part of the Southsea Coastal Scheme, which will strengthen 4.5km of shoreline against rising sea levels and erosion, protecting around 10,000 homes and 700 businesses.