There seems to be a reasonable amount going on 'down there', it probably deserves a thread of its own!

COMPLETED (2005) :

SPINNAKER TOWER (170M)

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/Hunted316/DSCN0563.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b353/sanstiss/3de44634.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j43/London_Guy23/6d60b932.jpg


^
(Thanks to The Hunted, cardiff & London guy)

http://i2.tinypic.com/x6akph.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/x6akwo.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/rigfpy.jpg




UNDER CONSTRUCTION:

EAST SIDE PLAZA (95M - 26 FLOORS)

Nearly-latest, April 2006:

http://i3.tinypic.com/x6aidx.jpg

Renderoid:

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/407EastsidePlaza_pic1.jpg

Building site from the Spinnaker Tower December 2005:

http://i1.tinypic.com/x6am8x.jpg




UNDER CONSTRUCTION:

ADMIRALTY QUARTER (?M - 22 FLOORS)

(Apologies to Nick Taylor)

http://www.admiralty-quarter.com/images/location/pic_location_01.jpg


http://www.admiralty-quarter.com/images/location/pic_masterplan_01.jpghttp://www.admiralty-quarter.com/images/location/sidebar_masterplan.gif


http://www.admiralty-quarter.com/images/living/pic_design_architect.jpg


http://www.admiralty-quarter.com/images/vision/pic_ourvision.jpg



UNDER CONSTRUCTION:

UNKNOWN TOWER IN GOSPORT

Any ideas?

December 2005:

http://i3.tinypic.com/x6am28.jpg

April 2006:

http://i3.tinypic.com/x6alhs.jpg

Feel free to add any more if you're local!

Apologies for the crappy quality pics... I only ever bother taking down my ancient pocket-sized Canon to Pompey

im glad that portsmouth is getting some big buildings spinnaker tower is the only nice looking one here. :)

Cool. Pompey'll have a nice little skyline with these proposals going up. Roll on some more!

I especially like East Side Plaza. Looks a lot like Ontario Tower in the Docklands.

Not the best quality, but here is a picture I took of Portsmouth from the south coast of the Isle of Wight last summer. Notice the Spinnaker Tower in the centre.

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/DSCF2776B.JPG

The photo doesn't really do it justice, even from this distance the Spinnaker Tower really stands out.

so gosport has a nice building now to go along with its charity shops, hopefully some of whats happening in portsmouth is beginning to rub off on those people.

nice pics, i'll probably be making my way to isle of wight soon. im dieing to see the view from there. hopefully they will have lifted the ban on carrying sheep on the cross solent hovercraft route by then too.

so gosport has a nice building now to go along with its charity shops, hopefully some of whats happening in portsmouth is beginning to rub off on those people.

nice pics, i'll probably be making my way to isle of wight soon. im dieing to see the view from there. hopefully they will have lifted the ban on carrying sheep on the cross solent hovercraft route by then too.

Do you have any idea what that tower in Gosport is metro?

It looks a pretty respectable height... maybe 75m / 20 stories. Its gone up within the past year. Nothing on Emporis (no surprise there though!).

i never been to porsthmouth but i can see its beatiful

i never been to porsthmouth but i can see its beatiful

That would be warmly received by people in Portsmouth, but truth be known a lot of the city is one of the ugliest I've seen... There are loads of high-rise concrete council estates and one of the ugliest blocks I've seen ever is a long barrier block that flanks the motorway into town for seemingly miles... a wonderful welcome!

The regenerated area around Gunwharf Quays (where the Spinnaker is) is very attractive, and the hideous Tricorn Centre has now been demolished... Its certainly improving, but has a long way to go.

the first time i noticed that tower was when they started to dismantle the crane, it shows how often i look across to gosport, but yes it looks 20 levels,perhaps 21. maybe i'll get some binoculars and count them at some stage. dunno what its called, tower with no name i suppose. there was nothing in the local press about it:?
that concrete/brick barrier type thing council block running along side the moterway is like something out of Mordor.....its the most desolate shite building i've ever seen.. and people actually live in there!

Went to Gunwharf for a bit of retail misery with some friends and took some pics of the East Side Plaza.

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/344/2232/1600/DSC01665.0.jpg

Shame its not taller, looks a bit like Ontario tower :)

By Hampshire standards it is a supertall ;)

Even though only like a third up it looks huge already compared with its surroundings.

Shame its not taller, looks a bit like Ontario tower :)

true, but this is is portsmouth not ontario. at least it doesnt look like a cut off sears tower.

we do have some of the worlds most impressive lamposts down here though. ;)

In profile, Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower is Hampshire's very own Burj Al Arab no less!

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/dubai186.jpg

that doesnt have a floorboard viweing platform though marty.. but its probably a good deal taller and those palm trees are quite neat too ;)

i must admit it does look quite similar...

I think Portsmouth should have a proper section in SSN.

Dropped by on my way home today and the harbour was looking very nice indeed. Gunwharf is such a great development.

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/3882/small11el.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/5213/small22cm.th.jpg (http://img247.imageshack.us/my.php?image=small22cm.jpg)

http://img435.imageshack.us/img435/8759/small38ix.th.jpg (http://img435.imageshack.us/my.php?image=small38ix.jpg)

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/9740/small40nz.th.jpg (http://img249.imageshack.us/my.php?image=small40nz.jpg)

http://img313.imageshack.us/img313/1362/small11cw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/7022/small76hb.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=small76hb.jpg)

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/9982/small68ww.th.jpg (http://img263.imageshack.us/my.php?image=small68ww.jpg)

Has anyone got any recent pics of the progress of Eastside Plaza et al?

There you go

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/5234/img4031uo1.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/980/img4025si5.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/5471/img4021hv7.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/5613/img4030wr7.jpg

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/547/img2828ms8.jpg

It looks like the design has been slightly altered (dumbed down?) The diagonal angle down the side looks like its been made vertical. not so exciting

oooh yummy, i like that

It looks like the design has been slightly altered (dumbed down?) The diagonal angle down the side looks like its been made vertical. not so exciting
Is that the original design, or the new design?

the original

Thanx for the pics!
Have to say i think its just different angles of that model and pictures that make it look different.

East Side Plaza

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/eastside_plaza2-upload.jpg

From Spinnaker Tower

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/eastside_plaza3-upload.jpg

Whilst I was up Spinnaker Tower... 3 Carriers were in at Portsmouth. Here's 2 of them. Ark Royal, and Illustrious

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/upspin_uploadJPG.jpg

^ Eastside Plaza is looking very good. Came across this pic on Flickr...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/415916007_4e6e88cccb_o.jpg

Wow, that is going to be a beauty, it's an exciting time for the south coast, with some major projects getting underway in all of our cities.

Ive been so looking forward to eastside plaza, it really does look great! I wonder what the next tall building will be??

I'm a bit concerned about the views out of the tower.....its a sea of bland flat roofs. I wish developers would stop using that post modern architecture for residential so loved in Britain, stucco and square windows. Its completely bland and ultimately looks cheap and nasty, devoid of style and ingenuity. Also where is the landscapeing? its looks very grey?

I really love the apartments at Gunwharf, they are the best of that style i have seen. I think they are very clean and modern looking, while the newest part of the development doesnt look as classy

Hey thats pretty big. Fairplay there's not much bigger than that outside London is there? My hat is off pompey.

Apologies to you guys if you've seen this before.http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=297&storycode=3085640&c=1

I have found an interesting site all about HMS Vernon RN shore establishment, which used to occupy the Gunwharf site. There used to be a massive sign that you could see from the ferries (went on a trip to Guernsey, 1979). Heres a few pics of what used to be. No one can doubt that the opening up of the waterfront was an excellent move, despite a nostalgia for the Navy.


http://www.mcdoa.org.uk/History_of_HMS_Vernon.htm


http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/3274/vernonwaterfrontcgp7.jpg

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5726/gunwharfes5.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/8413/hmsvernonaug1940nf3.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/219/hmsvernonlate20sqf2.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8233/vernon1955pv3.jpg

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6912/vernonaerial1977qu1.jpg

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/7885/vernoncreek1974wl9.jpg

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/3567/vernonwardroom1hh0.jpg

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/7596/vernonwardroomgardensumeh0.jpg

And an old map extract from the sjwmoore collection- I scanned the entire county of Hampshire County Series of 1939 maps before they were binned…

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5508/8311xar5.png

Has anyone got a picture of the New Venture tower in Fratton Road. I know it ain't the biggest building but I'm curious to see what it looks like as my company have just opened a new branch in the New Venture Tower.

As a Southampton fan its painful to say to you skates but Portsmouth is looking better and better. If you can get your waterfront stadium then Pompey will looklike the dogs knackers.


(and maybe we can push the stadium off to sea ;-) )

I couldn't find a Pompey forum so thought I would start one. Here's a picture of number 1 Gunwharf Quay which is currently under construction near Spinnaker Tower.

http://i17.tinypic.com/66jab6f.jpg




Come on people of Pompey lets here from you.

Well I aint from Pompey so sorry to barge in, but must say that is fairly impressive. How tall is it? Looks about 28 floors so my guess is 100m ish?

Hi Schmeek, No I'm not from Portsmouth either as my name suggests. But i used to live there years ago. I noticted this tower on a recent visit.

Yeah I think your right it about 95m and 28 floors.

Another person not from Portsmouth, but that is a really nice tower. I'm quite jeleous ;)

East side plaza is a great tower, supposed to look like a ships funnel as the observation tower of course looks likea spinnaker sail. Not sure what will be next though, a building in the shape of an anchor - oh wait there already is! lol

The worst of Portsmouth, luckily now gone:-

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=450266&page=2

And the best:-

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=197332&page=2

Whoa, that tower is very impressive. Why do I know so little of what is going on in the south coast cities?

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d58/misterFlibble1976/Warri20.jpg

Pompey is a great place. We were down there late last year, where some of my relatives had their wedding reception on ^^ that!

I thought Portsmouth - well the parts of it I saw which mainly centered around the stunning Gunwharf Quays was vibrant, clean, modern, and had a real buzz about the place.

I did a thread in The Barracks which is full of pictures of Portsmouth docks. There are these as well...

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d58/misterFlibble1976/tOWER15.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d58/misterFlibble1976/Tower1.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d58/misterFlibble1976/Tower12.jpg

Cheers BlahBlah very nice shots.

No.1 Gunwharf Quay, about 3 weeks ago:

http://i20.tinypic.com/2w35ou9.jpg

I couldn't find a Pompey forum so thought I would start one.

Look harder next time! It was only on page 2 ;)

i noticed there was a big group of like 3 buildings when i was at portsmouth the other day, Like a massive shopping mall u/c anybody know what it is, you no were the top road is with the navy bases, its down the hill.

Bollocks my picture isn't showing... cocking Tinypic

Bollocks my picture isn't showing... cocking Tinypic

Now fixed...

Cool :) Portsmouth needs more landmarks or big buildings like that one so people in the Spinnaker Tower get distracted by the views rather than the glass floor...

Not the best quality, but here is a picture I took of Portsmouth from the south coast of the Isle of Wight last summer. Notice the Spinnaker Tower in the centre.

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/DSCF2776B.JPG

The photo doesn't really do it justice, even from this distance the Spinnaker Tower really stands out.

I'd love to know what camera you have if you can take a picture of Portsmouth from the South of the Isle of Wight??? Hahaha!!!

Eastside plaza is looking ominous!!!

I thought that at first, but the angle is in place now. The annex building (which is prettyy massive itself) is practically complete now, i think its open actually.

Oh and Gothic, its 100m and 29 floors just to let you know :) (though i counted 30 from my university window... its officially 29 though)

Oh and Portsmouth getting its own forum? I agree, theres rumours going round (100m stuff) and i can get information from city planning very easilly.

http://i4.tinypic.com/6yx6h04.jpg
Heres a view of the site when at the first level, taken in 2005 from the Spinnaker Tower Lower Viewing Deck.

Hi guys, ive been lurking on this forum for about a year and have finally got around to registering. Theres a whole lot of fairly large developments (by Portsmouth standards at least) in the pipeline which havent had a mention on here so i thought id let you know what was goin on. I dont know how to post pictures yet but heres some PDF's from thew city council planning website:

This is the early designs for Tipnor, where the pounds scrapyard is now; it looks to include a tall building right on the point next to the old (listed) ammunition stores are:
http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/media/exec20080114r_app.pdf

And this is an application gone in this week for more city center appartments on the Allders warehouse site right across Cross St. from the Admiralty quarter:
All application documents:
http://www.ukplanning.com/portsmouth/findCaseFile.do;jsessionid=4E539F8A0D79DD247C6F42ED989E63E5.wam1?appType=planning+folder&appNumber=08%2F00142%2FFUL&action=Search
Renders:
http://www.ukplanning.com/portsmouth/doc/Other-5409198.pdf?extension=.pdf&id=5409198&location=VOLUME5&contentType=application/pdf&pageCount=5

The reserved matters application for the Northern Quarter was filed a couple of weeks ago aswell.
Heres the developers website:
http://www.northernquarter.info/

And heres the full application:
http://www.ukplanning.com/portsmouth/findCaseFile.do;jsessionid=D548A061731B649912F1DF1FA20F60E4.wam1?appType=planning+folder&appNumber=08%2F00099%2FREM&action=Search

Heres a great photo from Flickr showing the admiralty quarter tower:
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/2230440867_329b54d361_o.jpg

And heres a picture from those designs for tipnor. Theres supposed to be a large Park and ride carpark behind the houses along the motorway (with a green roof). You can also see the position of the proposed new bridge for busses and pedestrians just in front of the motorway bridge which would link this development to the new stadium with its residential development and port solent. What do you reckon the height of those towers are? Its difficult to judge with the quality of these drawings.
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/Tipnor.jpg

The tall one looks about 80m maybe another 100 if we are really lucky. But more than likely 80m.

Unlikely to happen i think. Nasty place to live - half the time youd just have a view of miles of mud when the tides out. Let alone the noise from the motorway and new stadium across the water.

That doesnt mean anything though, if they can stick it there, they will. its all about money. Paulsgrove is pretty much Motorway Noise. Bit you get used to it, I just drown it out.

Talking of motorway noise i found these designs for the Northern Quarter hotel by Format Milton its quite an interesting design, i like it. The coloured fins are designed to reduce the impact of the noise from Market way inside the building.

It is supposed to be a shortlisted design from a national competition to design the hotel but i cant find any other entries or a mention of the competition anywhere. The design for the hotel was left off the northern quarter reserved application too be included in a future phase.

http://www.formatmilton.co.uk/newsaug1.html

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/e.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitled.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitledf.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitledh.jpg

Nice! I like that one. Shame it couldn't be mixed resi/hotel and taller. It would make a great skyscraper design IMO.

According to the website it does include residential cant be very much though. Maybe they will give it a hight increase i agree it would look great if it was twice the height or more.

Maybe they will give it a hight increase i agree it would look great if it was twice the height or more.

We can hope:)

Heres the Wilkinson Eyre plans for the new Mary Rose museum which was awarded a major grant from the Herritage Lottery Fund last month;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7206775.stm

Hopefully it can still open in 2011 as originally planned to coincide with the 500th aniversary of the maiden voyage of the Mary Rose.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/a-1.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/b.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/d.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/c.jpg

What do you guys think of the new John Lewis store?

The new:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/nq-view-20.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/nq-view-23.jpg

And the old:
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/129430158_220e61c448.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/mh.jpg

Besides the obvious vulgarity of those green fins. I particularly hate the overhanging corner to the right of the first picture which enables the store to have perfectly square floorplates on a triangular site.

Certainly not an improvement, in my opinion, on the unique character and history of Knight & Lee in Southsea. What with the old building passing into the hands of Centros Miller and the refusal from EH for listing i fear it could be demolished in th near future Which would be a great shame as both Knight & Lee and Debenhams across the road are two of the very few fine buildings built in portsmouth in the post war period and really make Palmerstone Rd. what it is.

City can meet the fleet once more
14 February 2008

The spectacular Navy Days are back – and bigger and better than before.
Up to 60,000 people are expected to flock to the reborn maritime extravaganza this summer, now rebranded as Meet Your Navy, which will be the senior service's biggest event since the huge success of the Trafalgar 200celebrations three years ago.
The last Navy Days event, which opened up the navy base to the public, was held in 1996 and Commodore David Steel, commander of the naval base, pledged that the new event would not leave anyone disappointed.
It is expected to rake in hundreds of thousands of pounds for the local economy as people flock to the city from all over the country.
During Meet Your Navy visitors will be able to tour up to 20 ships, take in arena events and air displays and rub shoulders with members of the armed forces.
'The naval base and city have hosted many great naval events, and Meet Your Navy 2008 will be one,' said Cdr Steel. 'This is designed to allow the British public to meet those people who make up the Royal Navy and to see their ships.'
The flagship of the event this July will be the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious.
Ships from visiting navies will also be present, and there will be flying displays each day as well as concerts including a Royal Marines band, diving displays, field-gun runs, re-enactments and many trade stalls.
It is set to be a big boost for visitor numbers to the Historic Dockyard, and Portsmouth as a whole.
The Trafalgar 200 celebrations and the International Festival of the Sea, held in 2005, brought in millions of pounds to the local economy as thousands of tourists headed into the city.
Robert Bruce, managing director of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Ltd, said: 'We are delighted to be working with the navy on what is our largest event this year.
'Every day the historic ships and museums showcase the proud heritage of the navy, and this will be an opportunity to link closely with the ships and people of the present-day navy, an event not to be missed.
'There is nowhere better to showcase the past, present and future than in Portsmouth, home of the Royal Navy.'
Organisers hope the event will take place every four years in Portsmouth.

City cash to help shape a dream

By Emily Pykett
Political editor

Portsmouth City Council is to spend £1.4m on helping make the £500m Tipner dream come true. By March the council will already have splashed out £600,000 on staff time and consultants on the project.

But this figure will rise as work on the redevelopment comes to fruition.

The council hopes all the cash can be recovered as part of an agreement being hammered out.

Plans for Tipner include 1,600 new homes, business, community and leisure buildings and a new waterfront area with pubs and bars.

Tomorrow, councillors will be asked to approve a deal with the Tipner Regeneration Company and the South East of England Development Agency.

A planning application for the site could then be submitted by September.

And a financial plan should be drawn up by the end of April, with a strategy for securing funding in place by the end of July.

City council strategic director, David Maxted, said: 'A steering group, made up of senior reps from the three parties, meets at least once a month to discuss planning, financial and legal issues.

'An outline planning application could be submitted by September 30.

'However there is still substantial work to complete on both the public and private sector funding strategies.'

Plans to build 1,600 new homes on the site are being welcomed by Partnership for Urban South Hampshire as they will help Portsmouth hit housing and job targets.

As revealed in The News last month, Portsmouth's richest man John Pounds sold 14 acres of prime land lying to the east and west of the M275 to the TRC – of which he is also a director and shareholder.

The land – estimated to be worth millions of pounds – includes the Pounds scrap yard as well as some listed buildings.

The sale represented a major breakthrough for the TRC, as different land ownership interests have been one of the main stumbling blocks to sewing up the deal.

The city council will also sign a 'co-operation agreement' which will lay out an action plan for the site.

Included in this will be an agreement that the council cannot dispose of its own land at Tipner without the prior approval of Seeda and TRC.

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/8188/dsc00041aj5.jpg

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/7223/dsc00042ug5.jpg

http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/935/dsc00044rf2.jpg

Just an update on Queen Alexandra Hospital

One that you might want to look up is the station square redevelopment. is a fairly large development that not very many people know about.

^^ As far as i know there has only been a Supplementary Planning Document produced for the station square development. Its a quite depressing thing to read too the 'vision' includes knocking down; the ZURICH BUILDING! :bash: the Royal Mail sorting office (dunno where they're planning to move to) and the three or four old buildings that remain on the right hand side of commercial rd when you walk up from the station.

And it includes building a bus station on the Matalan carpark site.:ohno: When will people learn bus stations are never good FACT! I really dont understand why the current setup on Edinburgh Rd. can't continue it would save the council a fortune - all they need to do is resurface to road and widen the pavements.

Its all here: http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/12157.html

BTW welcome to the forum utilitymaximiser

Another one worth looking at is the Guildhall Square development, not much on this at the moment but the city council offices are getting flattened. City Council are looking at new premises due to the poor state of the current building.

Oh and the Zurich building WILL be retained as part of the Station Square development. It is considered to Landmark to lose.

Oh and the Zurich building WILL be retained as part of the Station Square development. It is considered to Landmark to lose.

How do you know that ill tonkso? the SPD (November 07) 'vision' shows it redeveloped and the 'opportunity sites' bit shows two options; redevelopment and retention.

Wasnt that some conservative councillors calling for the civic offices to be sold it makes sense theyre costing a fortune to maintain. There was nothing definate though was there? id really love to see that whole area flattened. The police station, law courts, central library, civic offices all need to be replaced theyre all terrible buildings neering the end of their useful lives. The only problem is all the University accomodation around there which is a barrier to complete redevelopment.

oh i asked my sister, works for council :p

Oh cool, good news. The Zurich building really is good whatever their gonna build around there they wont match it for quality.

You don't know anything more about this project do you illtonks? or anything definate about the civic offices?

Oh I can tell you that Zurich House is being converted into a Hotel of all things. And the council are considering an extension of the IMB HQ for the replacement civic offices although this is receiving much opposition from council workers who believe it should be in the CC.

I really think they should be keeping Zurich house (is it still called that?) as offices theres surprisingly little office space in the city center, all the old office buildings have been taken over by the uni. Wether thats because of lack of demand or not i dont know. But converting it to a hotel will affect its exterior appearance and i wouldnt be surprised if it was extended to accomodate conference facilities ect. And i kind of love it just as it is. :)

I really think they should be keeping Zurich house (is it still called that?) as offices theres surprisingly little office space in the city center, all the old office buildings have been taken over by the uni. Wether thats because of lack of demand or not i dont know. But converting it to a hotel will affect its exterior appearance and i wouldnt be surprised if it was extended to accomodate conference facilities ect. And i kind of love it just as it is. :)

I love it how it is too, but I do agree with them converting the ground floor into Retail. I dont think there will be much done to the external look of the building to be honest, besides a good clean, which it needs.

Although any idiot can tell you right now at least one of those retail units is gonna be a Subway, any bets :lol:

So, quick question, what part of Portsmouth you from? (have I asked that already?)

I Live in Southsea atm but have lived for most of my life on Hayling, you live in Paulsgrove right? yeah i moved coz the bridge did my head in. Now i have the Eastern Rd. to contend with :banana:. BTW just to say love your simtrop BAT's LOL.

Anyway the thing that really worries me about this is that Zurich house being joined by any buildings over five or six stories is the simplicity of the Black curved form will be diluted and its presence, especially in victoria park, will be diminished. The SPD seems to suggest 10 story buildings on the station side and a building of similar height to Zurich house on the cathederal side. This would make Stanhope rd. a bit dark and windy wouldnt it?

One could argue that its gonna be a canyon down there ;) Giving Portsmouth a nice dense skyline. To be fair, Stanhope Road is already dark and windy anyway :p

Yeah im the nice end of Paulsgrove now, but I have plans to move my arse down to Southsea in the future. Glad you like my Simtropolis work, a lot of forumers here have commented on it :)

For the fun of it a photo:
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/462096951_0bd3389a58_b.jpg
:) it is really rather lovely isnt it :nuts:

love that building, check out this link for views from the top of East side plaza crane

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3898

^^Wow those guys r nuts, they reli do get in sum interesting places thou. Wonder why they havent been up Brunel house its probably reli easy to do.

From the snooze:

Shops plan hit by High Court claim delay

By Emily Pykett

PORTSMOUTH'S £500m Northern Quarter shopping centre has been hit by yet more delays.

The scheme to build one million square feet of shopping, leisure, eating and homes – anchored by massive John Lewis and Marks & Spencer stores – will not be completed until at least 2012 because protester Mark Austin has lodged a claim against planning minister Hazel Blears in the High Court.

The project was originally meant to be finished by 2010 but was put back by one year to 2011 because developers failed to appoint a builder.

Now Mr Austin, 50, of Southsea, has paid £400 to be granted a preliminary hearing, where he will allege that the Secretary of State received incorrect information from Portsmouth City Council about potential levels of air pollution.

If he is granted a full hearing, this will take place in September or October.

But traders and community leaders have hit out at Mr Austin's stance, saying that for every year the scheme is put on ice the city loses out on millions in unpaid wages for the 3,000 jobs that the Northern Quarter is expected to create.

Michael Zeffertt, a director of army surplus store Mack's Shack in Charlotte Street, is anxious to sell up.

The 63-year-old, of Coghlan Close, Fareham, said: 'This is depriving me of my right to retire. Mark Austin is forgetting that millions or billions is riding on this for Portsmouth.'

Developers Centros Miller and Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock have pinned the blame for delay on the global credit crunch as well as Mr Austin's legal challenge.

Mr Hancock said: 'We are dealing with the challenges of a changed economic background and delays caused to the compulsory purchase order by a legal challenge mounted by a local protester.'

Centros Miller development director John Marsh said: 'We are in a challenging period with the US sub-prime mortgage crisis impacting the UK property market and a further delay to the scheme arising from the CPO process.'

But Mr Austin defended his move and said: 'The council and Centros are using me as a scapegoat. They are using my court case as an excuse because they know the Northern Quarter is in big trouble – they can't find a constructor. It is not me who is stopping it.'

Fears of plummeting property prices have led to the council to re-negotiating the terms of its profit sharing deal with Centros Miller.

Both parties are staying tight-lipped over the new deal.

Last Updated: 15 March 2008 11:34 AM

Just who exactly is Mark Austin? and what does he hope to achieve?

He says the schemes in big trouble and hes not the one stopping it and yet hes willing to spend £400 of his own money and go to the high court to do just that. Somethings not right there is it. :sly:

He isnt that nutter who stands in Guildhall Square shouting "This Council is Corrupt" is he?

Well, hes calling himself and a few others the Pompey Freedom Fighters - HQ (The library) - apperently:lol:. Some of the stuff they have written on the comments at the bottom of the story are beyond belief.

They seem to honestly believe there is some evil plot that has been conjured up by PCC and Centros to do something or another, they seem very reluctant so say just what it is they think. Although actual thought probably doesnt occur at any stage. :bash::bash::bash:

I work in a hotel in Newport at the moment, miss Portsmouth but had a guest stay from Southampton and she said that people in Southampton used to look down thier noses at Portsmouth but have recently been forced to reasses portsmouth due to the better nature of the city now. More to the point she said that southampton was only better for shopping, and delays by idiots like this guy infuruate me! What does he hope to achieve? Why are they letting him get away with it?

On another note when i last lived in Southsea there were plans to redevelop the shopping street, has this happened yet?

Nothings happened to Palmerston Rd. yet i dont think there have ever been any solid plans for the area although i might be wrong all i have seen is the vision from City Growth Portsmouth which looks quite bad really they want to demolish knight and lee and debenhams and build some terrible pomo space ship thing there.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/Spaceship.jpg

I dont think these people actually hold any sway though its just cloudy dream land stuff.

Ah so it is him then. He pisses me off so much. As I walked past him I overheard him shout "All the woman working for this council are prostitutes!" I mean come on! (assuming this is the same guy), if you want people to take you seriously say something credible!

Not to mention the fact my sister works for this council, and she is most certainly NOT a prostitute!

There’s an interesting article in the News about ways to solve Portsmouth transport problems: http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/How-can-we-tackle-traffic.3902460.jp?articlepage=1

Caroline Collings:
’For economic growth we need a better transport infrastructure,’ she warns. ‘Improving our transport network is just as important as increasing the skill level in the city.’

That is so right and something far too often overlooked. No big business is going to move to Portsmouth in its current state, the transport around the local area is just too much of a nightmare. Our national links (direct trains to London, A3 etc.) and our position as a gateway to the I of W makes this an attractive place for businesses to move to until they look at the problems of getting skilled people into the centre of the city from surrounding communities.

The ideas they have examined are:
- Congestion charge
- Water taxis
- Car-share-only roads
- Make the buses free ...and double parking fees.
- Double-decker trains
- Free bicycle scheme
- Underwater tunnel – for busses and trains
- Hard shoulder driving
- Monorail
- Land trains

Congestion charging would be very easy to do and would send out the right message but there would be a lot of opposition until there are real alternatives i.e. trams, park and ride.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/ghfgdfas-1.jpg
This is what id like to see the council working towards. It would relive congestion across the whole area and make it possible for large numbers of people to get to the city without a car. When they get there free bike schemes would then make it easy to get around.

Now is definetly the time for some imagination from the council. With huge schemes like Tipnor with its park and ride, the new stadim and the corresponding residential development there is definate need for a fixed connection to the city center from this area. With the centralization of health care at QA there will also be a need for people to get there.

Yet none of them can see the benefits of a Copnor Station? See my thread in the transport forum here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=597374) for details on why this is so.

Also possible sites for a station (though not sure if these will be as economically viable as Copnor), Paulsgrove at Racecourse Lane, and Farlington just as the lines come off the Railway Triangle.

Will this vision ever be a reality?
By Emily Pykett
Political editor

Serious concerns have been raised over the future of a £500m redevelopment of Portsmouth city centre. A secret report leaked to The News reveals huge worries over the funding of the Northern Quarter project.
Fears over the credit crunch mean investors are too nervous to stump up the cash for the shopping complex, which will be built partly on the site of the old Tricorn building.

On top of this The News can reveal:

* No major cinema chain or four-star hotel will sign up to the project
* No builder has been appointed ahead of this August's start date
* No major shops apart from John Lewis and Marks & Spencer have put their names to the scheme
* The project will barely break even.

Predictions show that the developer Centros won't even earn £5m out of the scheme – well below the estimated £150m.

Shareholders are worried at the thought of paltry returns, considering Centros has already stumped up £40m and reported a loss of £2.9m in the residential build phase because of an increase in construction costs.

In the secret report, John Marsh, development director at Centros, said: 'At this stage our shareholders are being asked to contemplate investing £500m to generate a profit marginally above break even.

'This is something they will not do.'

Paul Ellis, from the city council's property consultants DTZ, which compiled the secret report, also warned councillors: 'Clearly if developers don't consider there is a sensible level of return for the monies needing to be invested then they won't proceed.'

In a bid to help things along, city councillors last week met behind closed doors and agreed to make changes to the project.

They unanimously agreed to accept a smaller cut of Northern Quarter profits to keep investors happy, including less share in the rent paid by retailers who lease shops and letting Centros set its own costs for customer parking.

Despite the concerns in the report, the city council and Centros have played down the problems and said the Northern Quarter – which will include 80 shops, restaurants and cafes – will be completed by 2012.

Centros said that as now it is owned by Delancey – one of the leading investors in UK property – funding for the Northern Quarter was 'simply not an issue'.

And it said it expected to appoint a contractor in the coming months with the aim of work starting on site later this year.

Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said strong competition among cinemas locally meant it was hard to find an operator for the Northern Quarter.

'One of the problems is the cinema in Gunwharf Quays is much more successful than anyone expected – it is the fourth busiest in the UK,' he said.

'Other cinema operators are concerned about competing with that.'

He added: 'I am very supportive of the scheme and encouraged that our advisers are being so optimistic about it.

'We have had to look at the bigger picture here but it's all about achieving a huge scheme in Portsmouth which is very important.'

The News can also reveal that there is no binding legal agreement between the council and Centros until full planning permission is obtained later this year.

Although Portsmouth and South Hampshire Chamber of Commerce said it was very disappointed about losing out on the prospect of a four-star hotel, its chief executive said she was not surprised the scheme had hit so many obstacles.

Maureen Frost said: 'It is not altogether surprising given the current economic climate, particularly in the retail sector.

'I think it is particularly important that this development goes ahead – the council was right to give Centros the flexibility it needs.'

I didnt think there was a cinema in the plans?

Interesting that the Vue at gunwharf is the fourth busiest in the country thou.

Mark Austin says:
It is with no pleasure that I see this happening.

YEAH RIGHT :lol:

'Hostile' plan is slammed by city watchdog
By Fran Duckett-Pike

Plans for the £500m Northern Quarter redevelopment of Portsmouth city centre came under attack again last night.
Members of The Portsmouth Society, which has more than 200 members, gathered for their annual meeting last night and branded the scheme as dull and hostile, lacking leisure facilities and not serving the community.

The group's annual report contained a long list of criticisms which members want addressed.

The criticisms are the latest blow to what is supposed to be the bright future of Portsmouth city centre.

On Saturday The News published a secret report revealing no major shops, apart from Marks and Spencers and John Lewis, have put their names to the scheme, no cinema will sign up to the project and the project developers Centros will barely break even.

The Portsmouth Society report stated: 'We are profoundly disappointed by the proposal and very critical of it – for sheer dullness and lack of ambition. It crams as many shops as possible on to the site of the Tricorn – with very little if any gain to the public realm.

'None of the buildings – with the possible exception of Marks and Spencers, though it does nothave a green roof and is arcaded – come up to current standards of sustainability.'

Dr Celia Clark, chairwoman of the society, said she doubted Portsmouth actually needed more shops.

She said: 'I am quite sceptical about whether we need that quantity of shops – we are over-shopped as it is.

'These plans drastically affect us as taxpayers. This city has been ripped off before and we don't want it to happen again.'

The society's report also attacks the proposals for public art: 'We have quite enough third-rate "public art" – a few sculptures planted about – in Gunwharf for example.

'Again Portsmouth deserves better'

John Holland, of the society's executive committee is calling on Centros to re-think its whole development plan and to come up with a Plan B.

He said: 'I am wondering if we should urge the city to have a Plan B, I am sure that it could be looked into.'

Any latest Portsmouth skyline pics taken from Gosport?
----------
congrats to the Pompey for The FA Cup final!

'Hostile' plan is slammed by city watchdog
By Fran Duckett-Pike

Plans for the £500m Northern Quarter redevelopment of Portsmouth city centre came under attack again last night.
Members of The Portsmouth Society, which has more than 200 members, gathered for their annual meeting last night and branded the scheme as dull and hostile, lacking leisure facilities and not serving the community.

The group's annual report contained a long list of criticisms which members want addressed.

The criticisms are the latest blow to what is supposed to be the bright future of Portsmouth city centre.

On Saturday The News published a secret report revealing no major shops, apart from Marks and Spencers and John Lewis, have put their names to the scheme, no cinema will sign up to the project and the project developers Centros will barely break even.

The Portsmouth Society report stated: 'We are profoundly disappointed by the proposal and very critical of it – for sheer dullness and lack of ambition. It crams as many shops as possible on to the site of the Tricorn – with very little if any gain to the public realm.

'None of the buildings – with the possible exception of Marks and Spencers, though it does nothave a green roof and is arcaded – come up to current standards of sustainability.'

Dr Celia Clark, chairwoman of the society, said she doubted Portsmouth actually needed more shops.

She said: 'I am quite sceptical about whether we need that quantity of shops – we are over-shopped as it is.

'These plans drastically affect us as taxpayers. This city has been ripped off before and we don't want it to happen again.'

The society's report also attacks the proposals for public art: 'We have quite enough third-rate "public art" – a few sculptures planted about – in Gunwharf for example.

'Again Portsmouth deserves better'

John Holland, of the society's executive committee is calling on Centros to re-think its whole development plan and to come up with a Plan B.

He said: 'I am wondering if we should urge the city to have a Plan B, I am sure that it could be looked into.'

I am actually tempted to form an official opposition group. Plenty of Uni Students to back.

I dont think PCC really care what it looks like, or what the Portsmouth Society have to say, they just need to make sure it gets built so they can recover some of the money they have put into it.

Exhibition of Tipnor model: http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/Gateway-to-city-plan-unveiled.3989459.jp

The exhibition will be at the Stamshaw and Tipner leisure centre in Wilson Road 2.30pm-7.30pm on Friday and 10.30am -4pm on Saturday
Will probably pop along on saturday to have a look.

Pompey hope to see World Cup fever in 2018
By Alex Forsyth

Pompey could host World Cup matches after Football Association top brass approached the club to join England's bid for the 2018 tournament.
The News can reveal that leading FA staff visited the city to discuss Pompey's new stadium being one of the venues for matches if the FA's application to host the tournament is successful.
Simon Johnson, director of corporate affairs, met with MPs, leading councillors and Portsmouth Football Club to view plans for the new stadium on Friday.
Portsmouth is the only city in the south east that has so far been approached by the association.
Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: 'It wasn't us going to them – they came to us, and that is a massive vote of confidence in the city.
'South of London there's nowhere else that can even come close to what we can offer.
'In the past, people have felt that the city has been ignored, had a tough time and a raw deal.
'For people like the FA to be coming to see us as part of the World Cup is a huge boost of confidence.'
The association is looking for up to 12 grounds across the country to form its World Cup bid, with Wembley taking centre stage.
Pompey's involvement depends on the new stadium at Horsea Island, which is due for completion in August 2011, being ready in time.
And if Pompey want to be part of the action they will have to find a way to accommodate 45,000 seats – 9,000 more than they originally planned – as FIFA rules dictate any World Cup stadium must have more than 40,000 seats.
Portsmouth Football Club spokesman Gary Double confirmed the club had 'exploratory talks' with the FA.
But he said it was too early to comment any further.
Adrian Bevington, director of communications for the FA, said: 'There are another few months before we even need to officially declare our bid and there are going to be another couple of years before we actually submit it.
'This is an area of the country where there are not that many stadium options at the moment.'
He added: 'At the moment, there will be a process of dialogue between Portsmouth City Council and the football club, but this is a good catalyst for further development.'

Tiers could be added
Portsmouth Football Club have confirmed they are sticking to the original plans and design for the new stadium.
But to meet FIFA targets, the club would have to consider adding temporary stands to boost the numbers.
Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock said: 'The designs for the ground mean the club can temporarily expand to get the capacity up to as much as 45,000 – it is a bit like London's Olympic stadium.
'It can be made bigger if it needs to be, and the FA seemed pleased with what they saw.'
The revolutionary design of the London stadium includes a sunken bowl and a lower tier with 25,000 permanent seats, and 55,000 seats on an upper level to be removed afterwards.
It is similar to Australia's Olympic stadium, which was built to hold 110,000 spectators, but the north and south wings were later shortened to reduce the capacity to about 82,000.
Cllr Hancock said: 'The club will still go for the original capacity, but if they expand it, it might stay like that.
'If Portsmouth win the FA Cup and get into the UEFA Cup it will bring greater success in the future and really put them on the map.'
He added: 'That will not only put the city on the football map, but put the club and the city on the world map.
'This is potentially great news for the city.'

Landmark at entrance to city
Pompey revealed plans for a new stadium at Horsea Island in October last year after the club's dream of building at The Hard sunk.
The latest location is 15 acres of land south of Port Solent that have been earmarked by the club.
The club said the £75m stadium would be a landmark to be proud of as visitors entered the city.
The deal includes buying land to the east of the diving school which will be allocated for 1,500 to 2,000 homes.
As part of the agreement facilities at the diving school will be renovated.
The club is still agreeing land-sale deals and putting together a planning application.

From the city council website:

Portsmouth limbers-up for the 2012 Olympics after winning the battle to host a big screen

Portsmouth will take centre stage in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics after it was announced today that the city would be one of eight across the country to become a ‘live site’ and host a giant screen.

The high-tech LED screen measures 26sq metres and, subject to planning permission, is expected to be installed in the Guildhall Square, in Portsmouth city centre.
The screen would be positioned so residents and visitors can sit on the steps in front of the Guildhall and civic offices and enjoy all the Olympic excitement, including the opening ceremony from Beijing and all the action from the 2008 games.

Drusilla Moody, Portsmouth City Council tourism and events manager, said: “Being chosen to play host to one of only eight giant screens across the whole of the UK is a huge coup for Portsmouth.

“As well as making sure residents and visitors to the Portsmouth feel right at the heart of all the Olympic action this summer, and as we prepare for the national excitement of 2012, we will also be able to use the screen for other community events and festivals in the city.”

Portsmouth was chosen to host a giant screen by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), who have been working closely with Portsmouth City Council and the BBC.

The screen is being funded by LOCOG, will be given to Portsmouth, and will last well beyond the 2012 games. A planning application has been made and will be considered in June.

The BBC will be responsible for scheduling what is shown on the screen and will work in conjunction with Portsmouth City Council to provide local community opportunities. The screen is expected to broadcast for up to 17 hours each day.

Mike Hapgood, head of BBC South, said: "All the evidence suggests that other cities in the country that have big screens already, people walking through the city centre find them really useful; they can access news and local information right there in front of them as well as good BBC content that is relevant to their daily lives. It enhances the city centre experience."

This should help to liven up the square a bit, although it could make it even uglier (as if that was possible) if its put in the wrong place.

The Square needs some better Landscaping. Its dismall. This is cool though.

Its true it is a complete disaster area but its not going to become any better untill there is wide spread demolition of the post war civic buildings, multi story car park and student halls so that a new square with actual streets leading up to it can be re-created. ATM its just far to windswept and dirty + the black glass of the civic offices is very dominating and makes it very gloomy even in the height of summer. The walkway under the civic offices up to the station and Comercial rd is a disgrace it allways stinks of piss.

Would be nice if they just knocked the part blocking the square from southsea train station down, and then re clad the rest with white portland stone to match weatherspoons and the guildhall and just replace the glass with something lighter and fresher (there are apartments in cardif bay with lovely light green coloured glass like water). It would be cheaper than redeveloping the whole site. Those horrible tiles with the flower pots really takes the piss!

Would be nice if they just knocked the part blocking the square from southsea train station down, and then re clad the rest with white portland stone to match weatherspoons and the guildhall and just replace the glass with something lighter and fresher (there are apartments in cardif bay with lovely light green coloured glass like water). It would be cheaper than redeveloping the whole site. Those horrible tiles with the flower pots really takes the piss!

They stink of it too, I wouldn't mind seeing the station itself getting sorted out actually, that red canopy thing is looking like a pile of shit nowadays. Clean it at least...

Would be nice if they just knocked the part blocking the square from southsea train station down, and then re clad the rest with white portland stone to match weatherspoons and the guildhall and just replace the glass with something lighter and fresher (there are apartments in cardif bay with lovely light green coloured glass like water). It would be cheaper than redeveloping the whole site. Those horrible tiles with the flower pots really takes the piss!

Im not sure that would be cheeper. By redeveloping everything right down to Winston Churchill Avenue they could release alot of currently wasted space for development for flats shops and offices. Atm the whole area is dedicated to university and the council and there is alot of dead space not doing anything. The law courts alone could occupy a quarter the existing fooprint if they were replaced. The land ownership in this area is pretty simple ie government and university so redevelopment is quite possible but building a whole new generation of civic buildings is gonna take time and money and a dash of vision form the council and planning authority + money from lottery, government etc.

The application for the screen is on the councils website: http://www.ukplanning.com/portsmouth/findCaseFile.do;jsessionid=043268C18BE506D5AEE529C48DD51015.wam2?appType=planning+folder&appNumber=08%2F00719%2FFUL+&action=Search

It actually looks quite good:
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/screen.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/screenlocation.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/LOCOG.jpg

Sounds like these things are going to become quite common across the country which is certainly no bad thing. Good that were in line to get one before Bejing kicks off.

Thought id post some pictures ive taken over the last few days.

The new Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation at the University is well underway and is phase one of a huge H shaped building which will replace the buildings to the right and above in the second picture:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/DSCF0013.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/Full_Portsmouthuni_02.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/Full_Portsmouthuni_01.jpg

The cranes here are working on a development which was a part of the now defunct Pompy village scheme it includes a new hotel and offices aswell as 167 apartments: (sorry about picture quality its taken through a train window)

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/DSCF0050.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/residential-71.jpg

And this crane is on the site of a new development of flats and town-houses on Broad st old Portsmouth its very similar to Spinnaker Quay next-door but will be rendered white rather than red brick. (again not the greatest picture in the world i will have a look next weekend to see if anythings above ground yet and get some more pics)

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/DSCF0040.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/seraeeets.jpg

And finally, again from the train just next to fratton bridge there are alot of new flats underconstruction:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/DSCF0049.jpg

Damn you! You beat me to the Fratton flats, I took some from the train too. The institute of cosmology and gravitation isn't in the building in that pic though, its in Mercantile House next to the Registry pub. 4 floors up from the computer games tech lab :p

I think the institute is going to move into the new building when its completed.

Oh I thought you said it was in the second pic old building at the moment, my mistake.

City schools are set for big shake-up

Secondary education in Portsmouth will change forever with radical plans affecting every school in the city.

Three of the 12 schools will be completely demolished and rebuilt after the city council won a bid for government cash. Full Story (http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/City-schools-are-set-for.4121912.jp)


City of Portsmouth Boys and St Edmunds will be completely rebuilt which is good news. I don’t know how likely it is but it would be good if St Edmunds could be consolidated into a smaller site (it is an enormous piece of land as it stands) and the remaining land be included in the cities station square scheme CPO the land in between and suddenly you have a large area perfect for a decent city centre development.

King Richards is getting rebuilt too, combined with the neighbouring Infant and Primary schools. I went to all 3 and now there going :(

Northern Quarter plans win approval (http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/Northern-Quarter-plans-win-approval.4154286.jp)

05 June 2008
By Alex Forsyth

PLANS for the £500m transformation of Portsmouth city centre have been given the go-ahead – despite fears over the project's future.
Councillors agreed detailed designs of the shops and open spaces that will make up the Northern Quarter scheme at a meeting yesterday.

But traders fear concerns over the credit crunch could make investors too nervous to stump up the cash for the shopping complex.

Michael Zeffertt, a director of army surplus store Mack's Shack in Charlotte Street, is a supporter of the scheme. But he said he had doubts over whether it would go ahead.

'If retailers thought there was potential in Portsmouth they would have negotiated by now,' he said.

'In the current climate there is no chance that they will.

'Until there is a legally binding contract with high penalties for pulling out, the city council has no guarantee that Centros won't walk away, and even this planning permission doesn't mean anything.'

As reported in The News, a secret report leaked in March this year revealed developers Centros had no major cinema chain or four-star hotel signed up to the project and no major shops apart from John Lewis and Marks & Spencer had put their names to the scheme.

Leading businessman Andy Rouse, of the North End and Hilsea business association, said there were concerns across the city.

'There is a general feeling among traders at the moment that it is time to tighten the belts,' he said.

'A couple of years ago, retailers were investing everywhere but now there are holes in Gunwharf and Commercial Road where there is not 100 per cent occupancy of shops – it is a sign of the times.

'Retailers will be thinking twice before they commit to Portsmouth.'

Centros Development Director John Marsh insisted: 'We are fully committed to the regeneration of the city centre and planning permission is an important step.'

Councillor Mike Hancock, in charge of planning, regeneration and economic development for the city, said there were still hurdles to overcome including controversial compulsory purchase orders which some traders are resisting.

He said: 'All the time the uncertainty over the compulsory purchase orders persists then that is going to cause delays.

'But I do think the Northern Quarter will happen. I have no reason to doubt Centros' commitment – they have spent £40m and you don't walk away from that.'

Pompey plans are welcomed (http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/gosport/Pompey-plans-are-welcomed.4154436.jp?articlepage=1)

05 June 2008
By Rob Dabrowski

PLANS for the new Pompey training ground were welcomed with open arms at a public meeting.

More than 100 people packed into last night's meeting to hear about the multi-million pound proposal for the Alver Valley and to grill the team behind it.

The proposed £8m facilities were welcomed by the majority and the few dissenting voices were booed by the crowd, a handful of whom were decked out in blue T-shirts.

Portsmouth FC chief executive Peter Storrie, the architect behind the design and the project manager talked residents through plans and answered questions at the meeting at Lee Community Centre.

The majority spoke out in favour of the facilities, which will be available for schools and residents to use outside training times.

Builder Fred Bowman, 37, of Skipper Way, Lee-on-the-Solent, said: 'I think it's a great thing for the area.

'I've lived in Lee all my life and all we get here is more houses but this is fantastic news and I think it will keep the kids off the streets and give them something to do.'

The handful of people who voiced concern about the impact on the area were jeered and heckled by the crowd.

Janet Carter, 54, a finance manager of Fitzroy Drive, Lee-on-the-Solent, said: 'Every time someone spoke and had an objection they were booed down – I think there were more Portsmouth FC fans there than local residents.

'I'm against the plans because I think it will cause disruption and lower the value of my house.

'If this wasn't everyone's favourite football club, which has just won the FA Cup, there wouldn't be such a positive response.'

Mr Storrie was pleased with the meeting and said as long as plans are approved by Gosport Borough Council in July building work will be due to start in late August.

'I think it went very well and about 80 per cent of people seemed to support plans,' he said.

'I'm very positive and I think those people that did have concerns had their questioned answered – this is a professional operation and disturbance will be minimal.'

He added: 'At the end of the day, it's a public meeting and people can make comments against comments.

'That's what open meetings are all about.'



THE COMPLEX will be almost 10 times the size of the club's current training site at Eastleigh.

The 35-acre site, next to the Cherque Farm estate, will include an 18,000sq ft building, which will house changing rooms, medical facilities, and a gym.ADVERTISEMENT

There will be 12 full-size pitches, two mini-soccer pitches and a designated goalkeeping area.

There will also be a three-quarter size indoor pitch for the club's academy, which will have its own separate building.

Two full-size pitches will be dedicated to community use and the indoor facilities will be available for schools in the Gosport area when the team are not using it for training.

First team players will spend four days a week training at the site, usually between 9.45am and 1pm.

The pitches used for top- flight training will be inside a secure fenced area to stop fans congregating to watch their heroes going through the paces.

The new facilities will also create an estimated 15 unskilled jobs for local people.

Business experts predict the proposals will provide a boost to the local economy as well as much-needed facilities for the community.

Shaun Farrell, a broker for Gosport-based business experts Impact, said: 'It'll definitely put the area on the map. It'll make it a more attractive place for businesses.'

Pompey will help fund visitor facilities for the Alver Valley Country Park, which will be built next to the site by the council.

The club will lease the land from the council.

It is hoped the facilities will be ready to be opened by July next year.

Hayling Island plans to rival Gunwharf (http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/Hayling-Island-plans-to-rival.4155929.jp)

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/TH1_JPNC-0506-12-0406_133010.jpg

A stunning vision for Hayling Island has been unveiled which envisages revamping the resort to rival Portsmouth's Gunwharf Quays and Port Solent.
The ambitious £30m council plan foresees making the island's seafront a major tourist destination on the south coast.

At the centre of the dream, designed by the same architects as the Spinnaker Tower, is a 50ft-tall glass tower which would light up at night to give a dramatic new skyline.

Havant Borough Council spent £35,000 funding the work of the consultants in drawing up ideas for the future.

But despite being welcomed by local residents and businesses there isn't a single penny in the kitty to fund the proposals. Instead council leaders are hoping the designs will kick-start the regeneration of the island and lead to investment from developers.

The proposals, if they ever come to fruition, would transform Hayling's southern shoreline from Ferry Point to Eastoke.

Beachlands would be turned into a new marine-themed complex incorporating 100 luxury flats, entertainment venues such as restaurants and cafes, and a futuristic funfair.

The planning consultants, who include Fareham-based architects HGP, want to create a timber boardwalk opening up a new promenade for the public to enjoy.

David Guest, in charge of regeneration at Havant Borough Council, which commissioned the design project, said: 'Hayling Island is a much-loved resort, but it is showing signs of age and lack of investment.

'A lot of people are choosing not to fly away on holiday because of cost and are looking for an alternative. We want that alternative to be Hayling Island.'

And he said: 'Once we have a plan in place developers may be attracted by that plan and hopefully will bring funding with it. We don't have the funding.

'All we can do is kick-start the thing and hopefully attract inward investment.'

The council intends to put the proposals out for public consultation next month.

Im not sure about this rivalling Gunwharf :lol: I think that could be a tiny bit over the top, but as a former West Town resident this looks like a fantastic idea and the area could really do with something like this. The glass tower could be interesting but i hope it is not another viewing platform. Is the south coast going to end up as just a string of observation towers all trying to replicate the Spinnaker towers success? I hope it’s just an art installation/landmark thing or perhaps a fairground ride?

Im not sure who is going to just come along and offer the Council the money to build this it seems all a bit of a desperate attempt to get something done. But it is encouraging and would be good to see built.

From the snooze:

Banana central is ripe for success

Portsmouth Port is going bananas with the announcement of the opening of a major new route from South America.

A new vessel was set to arrive yesterday carrying hundreds of tons of the fruit, and helping to cement the port's reputation as the UK's top banana.

Portsmouth already supplies around 70 per cent of the bananas which reach greengrocers stands and supermarket shelves nationwide, but the new shipment will send the volume soaring to almost 80 per cent at a stroke.

The 419 ft long Belizean ship, called New Breeze, will initially carry between 600 and 700 pallets – clocking in at 1.1 tons each – and will sail on a weekly basis.

It is anticipated this volume will increase week-on-week, rising to between 1,200 and 1,500 pallets in the coming weeks.

David Flynn, general manager of fruit importer Fyffes, said Portsmouth was 'banana central' – and would remain so in the future.

He said: 'We've been in the city for a long, long time. I think the first time we moved in was about the early 1990s, because it really is very well suited to business – you can go on from Portsmouth straight to the continental ports like Amsterdam and Rotterdam very easily.

'There are a lot of good reasons to be on the south coast, and very good reasons to be in Portsmouth. They're very competitive, and good at what they do.'

The move comes in the wake of a deal finalised earlier this month by Huelin-Renouf, a Channel Islands shipping line, to axe its operations in Portsmouth and move to Southampton.

Martin Putman, Portsmouth's Port Manager, said: 'It's good news at the moment. Because we've lost some traffic in the recent past, this shows confidence in doing business with Portsmouth is still strong.

'I'm not quite sure we can ever make it up to 100 per cent of bananas coming through Portsmouth, but we'll keep going and see how far we get. The overall feeling is that this is a seal of confidence from Fyffes.'

If ever there was a place for a dancing banana its here----> :banana:

Was in Portsmouth today. I have some pics, I'll have a look at them tomorrow and I might post afew.

Cool looking foward to them. What were you doing down here?

Cool looking foward to them. What were you doing down here?

Went to the Isle of Wight for the day.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/Photo-00612.jpg?t=1216308222
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/Photo-00632.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/Photo-00622.jpg?t=1216308263
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/Photo-00571.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/Photo-00561.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/Photo-00552.jpg

My mate has more better pics from his camera. I'll try and get them some time.

Some of my mates...
http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/222/81/571458891/n571458891_671174_3998.jpg
http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/222/81/571458891/n571458891_671176_9274.jpg
http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/222/81/571458891/n571458891_671182_4638.jpg
http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/222/81/571458891/n571458891_671183_7242.jpg

Transformation of city centre under review
19 July 2008

The £500m transformation of Portsmouth city centre has been dealt a major blow after developers announced plans to review the scheme.

Centros, the company behind the Northern Quarter city centre revamp, has said it is looking to redesign the development in light of the current economic crisis.

The firm insists it is not scaling down the project but is looking for a more 'flexible and robust' design. But fears have been raised that the move could mean less shops, or cheaper materials, in a bid to keep the project on track.

Cllr Simon Bosher, Tory spokesman for planning, regeneration and economic development, said: 'I am uncomfortable with the fact they are looking at cheaper options which will be to the detriment of the city', adding he had feared such a move 'for some time'.

The rethink could mean the entire layout of complex is changed – despite the firm being awarded planning permission just last month.

At that time The News reported the growing fears over the project's future in the light of economic downturn.

Portsmouth city council leaders held crisis talks yesterday.

Council leader Lib Dem Gerald Vernon-Jackson said the scheme, due to be completed in September 2011, almost certainly now faces delays.

'I would much rather that it had gone ahead as planned', he said. 'If this has to go back through the planning process of course it means delays.

'But shopping centre schemes up and down the country are falling through and they haven't pulled out when they could have – this shows they are committed to the scheme.'

Centros plans to release a revised development timetable towards the end of this year.

Cllr Mike Hancock, in charge of economic development, said: 'I am disappointed, but I do not think this is a setback we cannot overcome.

'The city council's view is quite clear that we want it to be as close to the original outcome as it can be.'

Centros development director John Marsh said: 'We are reviewing every aspect of the scheme to make sure it will meet the future expectations of retailers in what is a rapidly evolving marketplace.

'Given the challenging economic climate, we are also ensuring that the scheme's viability remains robust, both now and in the future.'

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/Transformation-of-city-centre-under.4304735.jp

:(

Latest in a series of setbacks for plan
19 July 2008

The Northern Quarter development has faced a series of setbacks since plans were first revealed in 2005.

Even the initial planning application was submitted late after Centros admitted they had underestimated the complexity of the project.

But the biggest thorn in the side of the scheme has been protestor Mark Austin, who claims the council acted unlawfully when they issued compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to buy-up shops in Commercial Road to make way for the development.

Last year his allegations over council wrongdoing led to a police investigation.

Council officer Wendy Couch was suspended from her job as assets management officer at Portsmouth City Council after admitting she failed to declare gifts from then-named Centros Miller.

Hampshire Police launched an investigation into whether there had been any misconduct in public office but detectives decided not to bring any charges.

Ms Couch was cleared of any wrongdoing and has since left the council.

Now Mr Austin is facing blame for further delays to the development after launching a High Court action over the CPOs, which is not due to be heard until December this year.

Centros say the hold-up while they wait the outcome of the court challenge is one of the reasons behind them deciding to embark on the redesign.

Development director John Marsh said: 'We can't do anything until we have an outcome from the court challenge so we thought we would take this opportunity to ensure we have the best possible scheme.'

But Mr Austin says this is an excuse for another delay which could mean the overall project is still in jeopardy.

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/Latest-in-a-series-of.4304901.jp


:bash:
That quote from Austin is just outrageous he has been the cause of every delay to this project and is the cause of this one aswell.

Saturday:

http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v207/235/49/775503168/n775503168_1155455_5842.jpg

^^ Nice

Thought id post a development thats been floating around for a while. It now has planning permision and looks quite interesting. Modern design and look not a cul-de-sac in sight.

The Newlands common development by Grainger Trust plc on the West Waterlooville development area will include; 2,500 homes, a total of 30 acres of open space, a new primary school, a health centre, a league standard cricket pitch and a community centre with a 200-seat hall. There will also be shops and children's play areas and a wetland habitat for wildlife.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitled2-2.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitled-5.jpg

There are some tiny pictures of what the houses might look like here:
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/waterlooville-and-e-hants/First-pictures-of-new-homes.4463274.jp

Planning docs:
http://www.havant.gov.uk/havant-7375

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=712900&page=12 If any fellow Pompodians want a giggle.

I moved to Portsmouth yesterday! My parents just left half an hour ago. Can't wait to start uni and make friends, I love it here. Gunwharf is fantastic, and good to see the tower nearly complete:)

Awesome, welcome to Pompey!

Oh, if you see a Pirate Flag outside Bateson Halls, it means the guy with the water bombs is there. Its one of the random Uni things here, The Bateson Pirates.

The guy with the waterbombs?:D Cool:lol:

I didn't get into halls, I sent the thing away a few days too late, so I'm living on Playfair Road now with a bunch of other lads in their second, third and fourth years. Hopefully I'll make some friends when I register tomorrow though.

Cool, welcome to Portsmouth. what are you studying?

Gunwharf is fantastic, and good to see the tower nearly complete:)

No. 1 gunwharf quay has been really annoying me recently sure it is a fantastic addition to the skyline and shows the potential of the city but nothing seems to be happening there its total paralysis. I wish they would just finninsh it externally take down the crane they can take as long as they like on internal finnishes. Just get the bloody crane down.

Anyway welcome to Newcastle Guy or should that be Portsmouth Guy? :cheers:

I actually thought about getting my user name changed:D Guess I'll see what happens:cheers:

Oh, and I'm studying property development:) Eating at Strada in Gunwharf today by the water was fantastic, it was so hot and sunny and it makes a great change to the weather up in Newcastle recently. It felt like being on holiday.

Oh nice, that happens to be my favourite restaurant there good choice. Im currently in Stratford-upon-Avon so missing the good weather.

It's great for a chain resteraunt. And from the two I've been in (here and back up in Newcastle) the quality is consistent. We went to Azzuro twice last time we were here, right next to the Spinnaker Tower. The view of the sun going down over the harbour was brilliant.

Hey guys, I was wondering if you could help? My group has been set a piece of coursework to design a mixed-use redevelopment of the Tipner site. I was wondering if you could give me some info about the site, best options for redevelopment etc... I've been looking on Google but considering there are locals in here interested in this sort of thing I figured this would be the best place to ask:) We have to make a presentation in front of our class and a bunch of city councilors.

Interesting project. hope you will keep us up to date with progress.

Don't know if youve seen the actual designs which are supposed to be in development?
http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/media/exec20080114r_app.pdf

I dont really know too much about the site, i think it was considered for the location of Ikea before they chose Southampton. Its seriously contaminated land due to the scrapyard.

Theres an old photo here showing how huch the Motorway changed the geography of the area: http://ww2.portsmouth-college.ac.uk/portsmouth/main.php?g2_itemId=971 (also the naval firing range clearly used to be much longer than it is now). I believe the sheds on the wharf were formally used as a munitions store and may be listed, they are certainly retained in the above design.

There has been lots of stuff about building another bridge across to Horsea island for busses, pedestriens and bikes this will probably be part of the stadium project connecting it with a major park and ride on Tipner.

Thanks! So is the MOD firing range staying? I thought it was the whole thing west of the M275. The site plan is confusing.

Unfortunately most of the firing range is staying as is the primary school which is right next to it. I suspect like much MOD land it is mostly underused and the MOD are only clinging on to it until this development is complete and the value of the land goes through the roof atm it has poor access and is surrounded by contaminated wasteland. In the future it will be in a fantastic location next to a motorway junction, a massive park and ride, be on numerous bus routes and be surounded by a massive housing, leisure and office development. Thankfully the Tipner scheme does seem to have been designed with future expansion onto the firing range in mind which is good but its annoying it cant all go together.

Cheers!:cheers: We could plan an 'optional expansion' and take the rest of the site into consideration. Except for the area which I think is south of the MOD range? Something about Brent Geese.

They've finally taken the crane down from #1 Gunwharf.

OMG i stay at home and nothing happens for months, i go to my parents and everything happens; Redknapp leaves, the crane finnaly comes down on No.1 Gunwharf quays and now i go on the news (http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/Hotel-bid-ready-to-reach.4644370.jp?articlepage=1) website and see this:

Hotel bid ready to reach for the skies
Published Date:
30 October 2008
By Adam Kula

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/TH1_3010200836hotelStation_Street.jpg

IT is 330ft of gleaming luxury – and it's planned for the heart of Portsmouth.
A developer is set to build a £35m, 25-storey, four-star hotel opposite the Portsmouth and Southsea Central train station.

The vast glass-and-steel building in the heart of Portsmouth, planned for Surrey Street and facing Station Street, would be the second-tallest structure in the city after Spinnaker Tower –rising above Gunwharf's 'Lipstick' – and is expected to bring at least 110 jobs to the city when fully up and running. That figure could rise to as many as 200.

The site, formerly a Royal Mail sorting centre, now stands derelict but if the council grants planning permission it is hoped the hotel will be the start of a long-awaited transformation for the city's Southern Quarter, which would bring millions to the city each year.
It would stand almost twice as tall as the nearby 56m tall Zurich building.

MP Mike Hancock said: 'This is a real show of support for the city, and will bring much-needed extra beds, extra jobs and I'm very confident it'll be a success.

'It'll be a landmark building in the city, and it'll be the perfect fillip in these days of misery.

'It's not just about what people spend in the hotel, it's what people will spend in attractions too.'

The plans have emerged at a time when the much-vaunted Northern Quarter revamp of Portsmouth shopping centre is on hold and being redesigned by developers Centros.

The scheme could go before planners as early as December.

Owner Robert Gamlen, of Robert Gamlen Homes in Woking, has already been working on the hotel project for three years.

He said: 'It's a quantum leap above anything else that's around.
'I think most big modern cities need tall statement buildings, and the fundamental thing is if the council approve this, they'll be getting what they want – the large-scale redevelopment of the Southern Quarter.

'If the hotel operators I'm talking to want the hotel now, then why wait? It's not all bad news at the moment and some sectors are doing well – hotels are among those.

'I'll be relieved the day it's occupied – that's when I'll get my moment of pleasure.

Hotel features

The hotel would be in Surrey Street, Portsmouth and would feature a cafe fronting out onto Station Street.

It has been designed by a team of five architects from PLC Architects, Queens Crescent, Southsea, led by Rick Carter.

Its 23m tall spire puts it just a couple of metres above the Lipstick, and will feature a wind turbine.

The building will be encased in two layers of glass, with a total of 130,000sq ft of glass.

The hotel would house 188 bedrooms, and two 'major name' hotel operators have expressed an interest.

It will boast a 'sky restaurant' on the 20th floor

Ooh so a 74m hotel tower! Excellent! Will there be any problems in the way of this getting approved? Given the 95m lipstick's just down the road there shouldn't be any appeal or objection from the council?

Nice! A sky restaurant too!

Can't wait for some better renders, I hope this goes ahead:):cheers:

Ooh so a 74m hotel tower! Excellent! Will there be any problems in the way of this getting approved? Given the 95m lipstick's just down the road there shouldn't be any appeal or objection from the council?

Portsmouth CC are happily pro skyscraper and have been very pro active in trying to get major hotels in the city. They would approve this regardless of what it looked like simply because its a major hotel and would give a boost to the cities tourist and business sectors.

It anyones interested this is the location;

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/site.jpg

The dark curved building which remains IMO Portsmouth finest is Zurich house which is 61m.

So it's right at the bottom of commercial road? Great location for a tall building:)

where will this look on the skyline? anyone good at future renders?

Take a look at this:

http://www.numberoneportsmouth.co.uk/


http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/TH1_3010200836hotelStation_Stree-1.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/stanhope.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/station.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/Vp23_night_with20tree-1.jpg

where will this look on the skyline? anyone good at future renders?

The view from fort Widley;

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/sky.jpg

Might be worth adding that that 8 floor office building on the bottom right (Roebuck House) had an apartment block slightly taller being built next door now :)

thats not my render its from the planning docs i just added the labels

I like that a lot! If the cladding is good, it could be a great addition to the city.:banana:

I agree although I’m not convinced by the ground level its set back from station street so the two old buildings which already sit awkwardly on the end of Commercial Rd. look even worse:

Take a look at this:
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/TH1_3010200836hotelStation_Stree-1.jpg


Overall though its fantastic how many other UK cities could boast a 75m hotel tower?

What do you guys think of the new John Lewis store?

The new:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/nq-view-20.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/nq-view-23.jpg

And the old:
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/129430158_220e61c448.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/mh.jpg

Besides the obvious vulgarity of those green fins. I particularly hate the overhanging corner to the right of the first picture which enables the store to have perfectly square floorplates on a triangular site.

Certainly not an improvement, in my opinion, on the unique character and history of Knight & Lee in Southsea. What with the old building passing into the hands of Centros Miller and the refusal from EH for listing i fear it could be demolished in th near future Which would be a great shame as both Knight & Lee and Debenhams across the road are two of the very few fine buildings built in portsmouth in the post war period and really make Palmerstone Rd. what it is.

Is this still happening, does anyone know?

Is that the Northern Quarter development?

The new John Lewis store is not a replacement for the old really. The new one is at the top end of Commercial Road, the old is in Southsea.

Northern Quarter IS happening, but not quite yet. A redesign is in order too.

I wanted to pop into your thread if I may and say how impressed I was with the Gunwharf Quays development. I know its been there a while but its my first proper visit and I was really impressed. The mall aspect of it is done superbly. They have made use of the exiting history on and around the site to great effect to avoid the identikit mall experience that is sadly par for the course these days. The spinnaker tower adds an element of fun and looks stunning. The views were breathtaking today, it was really clear. Portsmouth and its surrounds really are extensive. Much more so than I realized. its a pretty big place.

Where it wins hands down for me though is the usage of the waterfront for the 'food court'. The upper tier restaurants give a great vista accross the water. with so much activity going on with the various ships travelling back and forth it has a great atmosphere.

Anyway, just my pennies worth. Nice one :okay:

Glad you enjoyed our city :) People dont realise how big Portsmouth is, it suffers the underbounding problem Manchester does, it in fact has a population of half a million and stretches miles in a thin arm towards london up the A3 corridor.

Amazing! Perfect location pinpointing the city centre! Finally! I've been waiting years for a proposals like this... not 100% sure about the design... but excellent news anyway

OK, the design won't go ahead like that I'm sure. Its far from finished. CABE will slam the detail, the council's urban edsigners will slam it too. Ground level needs to be sorted, the cladding from these renders needs improvement - more verticality perhaps, more solid among the glass... but the location, height and building envelope are very good.

This looks great!

Who are Robert Gamlen homes? Do they have a good history? and does anyone know if they even own the site?

It's a shame it couldn't be down near gunwharf though, they could have (finally) demolished Brunel House.

Here's hoping that this turns into something even remotely similar to what is proposed.

I hope it will be remotely similar, with an emphasis on remotely

I have to say now i have some real doubts over the prospects of this hotel being built.

Firstly if this is built it wont be by Robert Gamlen they have no experience of development on this scale, just have a look at their website: http://www.robertgamlenhomes.co.uk/index.htm
They are a very small property developer and would probably benefit most from this by selling the site on with planning permission, which im absolutely certain they will get.

Secondly there has been some talk of a top hotel being built as part of Portsmouth FC's stadium and arena plans. Which despite Pompey News' best efforts this week is still looking very much on track. I know if I was looking to locate a top hotel somewhere in Portsmouth i would choose to tie it in with an arena and stadium development which can both provide a good flow of business as well as having excellent access to the motorway network and to the large core of businesses located around North Harbour (IBM) and Cosham.

Sorry to be such a pessimist about this but i just cant see it happening. I would absolutely love to be proven wrong.

Just for the record the planning application reference number is: 08/01723/FUL

Finally on the Hotel front this application (08/01941/FUL) was submitted last week and although the planning docs are not yet available its fairly clear from the description that the Queens hotel in Southsea is going to get converted at least in part to flats.

the application is supposed to be for:
Nightclub
Queens Hotel
Osborne Road
Southsea
Hampshire
PO5 3LJ

But clearly includes the hotel proper:
Construction of 7-storey building comprising health centre/retail unit at ground floor with 30 flats at 1st to 6th floor levels and associated cycle/refuse stores (after demolition of nos 12-16 Osborne Road); conversion of 2nd,3rd and 4th floors of hotel to form 30 flats; construction of podium and two conservatories with undercroft parking to south elevation

A few important planning applications have been submitted recently showing that after the completion of No.1 Gunwharf Quay and the Admiralty quarter development in Portsmouth won’t grind to a halt.

Firstly the new Mary Rose museum designed by Wilkinson Eyre. (08/02218/FUL)

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitled-6.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitled1-2.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitled2-3.jpg


And the redevelopment of the Queens hotel as mentioned in my previous post.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitle2.jpg


And then there’s a minor change but big improvement to an Old Portsmouth landmark the Royal Naval Club & Royal Naval Yacht Club.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitle3.jpg

The redevelopment of the Odeon in North End has also gone in, doesn’t look very good though.

Most tantalisingly, and sort of out of the blue, an application has been submitted for the redevelopment of the Zurich house site. As yet no case notes but should be up soon. (08/02253/FUL)
Change of use of Zurich building to 207 bed and 47 apartment hotel, construction of 243 bed hotel, construction of new office building and 2x A3/A4 units with 55 residential units above

Two hotels? Along with the proposed hotel across the road at No. 1 Portsmouth? Hard to believe given the current climate. At least PCC's Station Square master plan appears to be coming together.

So Zurich house is to be converted into a 207 bed Jurys Inn with an apart-hotel above:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/1-1.jpg

Im the middle block;
-Another 243 bed hotel

And in the block on commercial rd;
-38 regular apartments
-17 affordable apartments
-83,668 sq ft office

There will be 8,966 sq ft A3/A4 retail in the two new buildings.

AND in a future phase what appears to be another 100m+. :nuts:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/6.jpg

Christ! Stanhope Road already feels like a Canyon, this is going to be insane!

An extremely positive outlook from the news (http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/100m-development-hotels-plan-reaches.4816909.jp#3571842)

£100m development hotels plan reaches up into the skies

Portsmouth's city centre is set to be transformed in a £100m recession-busting development.

Plans have been submitted for two new hotels, 55 apartments, restaurants, bars and offices in Stanhope Road.

It is expected to create 668 new jobs in the city when fully up and running.

The landmark building – formerly home to insurance firm Zurich – will look the same from the outside, but plans would see it transformed into a three-star plus hotel with 207 bedrooms and 47 long-stay hotel suites.

The News can reveal national hotel chain Jury's Inn has already signed up to the project.

A second hotel would be built from scratch next door with a further 243 beds, and developers say they are in talks with several hotel operators.

A third new building on the current car park would create residential and office space and a new landscaped pedestrian entrance to Victoria Park from Stanhope Road would be built.

The proposals are a step towards the long-awaited transformation of the city's Southern Quarter, which would bring millions to Portsmouth each year.

Cllr Mike Hancock, who is in charge of planning, regeneration and economic development at the council, said: 'I think it is positive that people want to invest in this area, and it would be magnificent to see a development on the Zurich House site.'

The plans have emerged as the £500m Northern Quarter development is still on hold while developers Centros redesign the scheme in light of the economic climate.

Cllr Hancock added: 'There isn't a shopping centre development in the country that isn't being hit by the recession – most are on hold or delayed and on some work has stopped altogether halfway through.

'I don't know whether this new development would impinge on the Northern Quarter, because they had planned a hotel for that, but at the moment Centros is redesigning and I am sure they are aiming for a different market.'

Developers McAleer & Rushe – a leading Northern Irish construction company – has already submitted a planning application to Portsmouth City Council, and hope to get work started in the new year.

Adrian Stewart, from planning agents Urban Inno-vations, said: 'The existing Zurich House building is great, but it needs to be included in the rest of the city centre so this is a development that would try and do that, and improve access to Victoria Park.

'It very much depends on the planning process but the developers are chomping at the bit to get started.'

And now ladies and gentlemen i present to you Pompey77's Christmas Eve bored waiting for family to arrive atrociously inaccurate MS-paint misrepresentation of the possible future (fingers crossed) of a small part of Portsmouth city centre!

(not to scale and probably breaking a copyright or two :dunno:)

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitled9.jpg

Merry Alastair Cook's (Essex left-handed batsman not deceased broadcasting legend whose name is Alistair Cooke anyway) birthday eve everyone! :drunk:

Permission has been granted and this 100m hotel is looking like its actualy going to happen.

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/Fourstar-hotel-planned-in-a.4849166.jp

Four-star hotel planned in a glittering tower

An iconic building planned for the heart of Portsmouth is one step closer to becoming a reality.

In the face of the recession, developers are ploughing ahead with a £35m four-star hotel opposite Portsmouth and Southsea train station.

Portsmouth City Council's planning committee has given the go-ahead to the 25-storey glass and steel building in Surrey Street.

Now developer Robert Gamlen is in talks with a top hotel chain with a view to start building what would be the city's second highest structure after the Spinnaker Tower in spring of this year.

He said: 'If anybody says the current climate doesn't have an effect they are telling porkie pies – it makes things more complicated.

'People want more assurances you have the funding, or suppliers.

'But I am meeting a top hotel operator next week and I always said I wanted to get started in spring.

'There is plenty of demand for hotels in Portsmouth.'

Plans for two more new hotels on the nearby Zurich House site are also in the pipeline. But Mr Gamlen, of Robert Gamlen Homes in Woking, said he would be aiming at a completely different market.

Mr Gamlen has already been working on the project for three years.

Once a hotel chain has signed the deal it will take 18 months to two years to build.

The 330ft hotel is expected to create from 110 to 200 jobs when fully up and running.

The site, formerly a Royal Mail sorting centre, now stands derelict .

Councillor Darron Phillips, chairman of the planning committee which granted it full planning permission, said: 'Everyone was very positive about the design, and the fact that it could regenerate that part of the city.'

Yoy may of heard of the Northern Quarter Redevelopment, well there is a southern one( the area of Somerstwon), which this would be a part of. It involves rearranging roads, demolishing buildings, facelifting and adding to buildings such as Ladywood house and building new buildings. More info on redevlopment in portsmouth in the Portsmouth draft plan: http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/7923.html
An at the somerstown draft plan:
http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/5859.html

Here is a model I made of that building:

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo142/jopno22/NumberOnePortsmouth1.jpg?t=1231685051

(Modeled in Google Sketchup: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=3e369f3b32d6eb27319ac5ec7af4f8f[QUOTE]

Recession. What recession?

Yet another major scheme for Portsmouth this time an enormous expansion of IBM North Harbour / 'Lakeside Business park'.

Outline application for 69,030sqm of gross external floorspace for Class B1(a) offices and 21,140sqm of other development (all gross external) to include: shops (Class A1) up to 1160sqm, restaurants/cafes (Class A3) up to 680sqm, 150-bedroom hotel and 40 room aparthotel (Class C1) up to 6500sqm & 3000sqm respectively, private hospital (Class C2) up to 7000sqm and car dealership (mixed use for car display/sales showroom and servicing/repair workshop) up to 2800sqm, with access roads/footways, landscaping and associated plant (the principles of access, landscaping and layout to be considered)

Heres the masterplan:
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitled2-4.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitled-7.jpg

awful, so the centrepiece is a massive car park?

Well the main focus for those buildings above will be the views of the lake to the South. And the other new buildings to the North of the site are arranged around two squares.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitled4-1.jpg

Hopefully these plans will get off the ground. Ive been kind of feeling that Portsmouths center has mooved to Gunwarf these days, but these developments will keept the center where it was historically. Can you imagine looking out your hotel window across victoria gardens to the spinaker and east side plaza towers!?

[QUOTE=Pompey77;30872376]Well the main focus for those buildings above will be the views of the lake to the South. And the other new buildings to the North of the site are arranged around two squares.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitled4-1.jpg[/QUOTE

Well it looks better in that view but I do think they could of hidden the car park underground.

Hopefully these plans will get off the ground. Ive been kind of feeling that Portsmouths center has mooved to Gunwarf these days, but these developments will keept the center where it was historically. Can you imagine looking out your hotel window across victoria gardens to the spinaker and east side plaza towers!?

Personally Cardiff I’m looking forward to going to the twentieth floor restaurant in the Number One Portsmouth hotel and standing on the terrace looking out over Zurich house, the spinnaker tower, Victoria park and the guildhall. The view will be immense.

Im hopeing however that there will be a time in the not too distant future where one scheme is built and the other is approaching construction just so I can appreciate this view for a while:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/untitled6.jpg

Your right the real centre of Portsmouth really needs a complete overhaul. These hotels will help that alot especially marking the centre of the city and i would expect developments to follow on the Matalan site and on the car park next to the RM Sorting Office. This will provide a stronger feeling of a city centre.

Sadly what should be the centre of the city: the Guildhall Square cannot be because of the masterpiece of urban planning which is the piss soaked civic offices. When these along with almost everything built post-war around there is demolished, the original street plan can be restored and a new centre of modern and traditional office, residential and civic buildings can be built. Architectural competitions could be launched for a new central library, civic offices, central police station and magistrates courts and a portion of this could be paid for by high density development spreading east especially along Winston Churchill avenue.

Sadly this looks extremely unlikely to happen. Positive steps have been taken as jopno22 pointed out to begin to sort out Somerstown. An Area Action Plan was created with three options of varying degrees of ambition. From simple road improvements to option 3 which is what we should be doing to large areas of this city and its illogical mess of post war areas:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/ST2.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/ST1.jpg

One of these options were supposed to have been adopted in September 08 but i don't know what happened. By the looks of the results of the consultation most residents supported a 'lets not do anything' approach. Which is promising isn’t it.

On a completely different subject The News in its online poll asks;

'Do you think it’s worth spending £35m on a three-storey ship hall to display the Mary Rose and her artefacts?'

And 65% of people say 'No'.

Really makes you feel optimistic about the world we live in doesn’t it. That people would rather one of the worlds most significant historic ships be displayed in a rotting tent, than a museum designed by Wilkinson Eyre and paid for by the lottery. Personally I would spend twice that to get a really good building.

The Poll failed to mention it was lottery money didnt it?

Another thing, the Mary Rose trust 'only' needs to raise a further 2.5 million, i think, to ge the lottery funding.

Similar thing to what Pompey77 did with image, but instead with sketchup model: http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo142/jopno22/NumberOnePortsmouth1-1.jpg?t=1232410790

Ill make a high detail 3ds max model of it soon if they produce some better renders or something giving details of the cladding.

Then naturally, import it into Sim City 4 :)

Ill make a high detail 3ds max model of it soon if they produce some better renders or something giving details of the cladding.

Then naturally, import it into Sim City 4 :)

They is some: http://www.ukplanning.com/portsmouth/search/index.htm
and enter 08/02253/FUL into the application number box it will bring up all the plans of the building including plans, elevations and the drawings i posted which is the first drawing in there named '3D views'. (Pompey 77 told me how)

At least one part of these projects is now a dead cert:

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Hotel-chain-finds-room-for.4897123.jp
Hotel chain finds room for 75 more jobs in city

A major hotel chain has signed a deal that will create 75 new jobs in Portsmouth city centre.

Jurys Inns announced yesterday it has exchanged contracts to run a hotel on the site of the old Zurich building in Stanhope Road.

The 200-room budget-hotel is set to open in 2010.

As reported in The News, it will form part of a £100m redevelopment of the site along with a second newly-built hotel next door and a new block of office space and apartments.

Jurys Inns acting chief executive John Brennan said: 'It is a significant vote of confidence in Portsmouth that we can announce plans for a new hotel in the area in today's challenging economic climate.'

Plans have also been agreed for a new hotel to stand opposite the Zurich building on the site of the former Royal Mail sorting office in Surrey Street.

Whoop! Good news. I hope they manage to form a nice little cluster around there, it'll give Portsmouth a much 'bigger' feel along with the Spinnaker and #1 Gunwharf. It's nice living somewhere where people aren't afraid to propose stuff over 10 floors:ohno:

They is some: http://www.ukplanning.com/portsmouth/search/index.htm
and enter 08/02253/FUL into the application number box it will bring up all the plans of the building including plans, elevations and the drawings i posted which is the first drawing in there named '3D views'. (Pompey 77 told me how)

I mean like these ones (all mine)
http://www.stex-server.com/lots/ill%20tonkso/ill%20tonkso_zurich%20house/eastlandcjupdatezurichhouse%2Ejpg

http://www.stex-server.com/lots/ill%20tonkso/ill%20tonkso_ndex%20its%20the%20spinnaker%20tower%20portsmouth/spinnyday%2Ejpg

http://www.stex-server.com/lots/equinox/equinox_ndex%20its%20one%20canada%20square/its1csndexud%2Ejpg

http://www.stex-server.com/lots/ill%20tonkso/ill%20tonkso_ndex%20enterprise%20house%20portsmouth/enterprisehouseday%2Ejpg

This my spinnaker tower model (not quite as detailed, simple due to Google Earth requirments): http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=a3adea79a857c3f6319ac5ec7af4f8f

(I have got Sim City and have downloaded those models)

Report on the new Queen Alexandra hospital from south today (including video). Its all very impressive.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7857779.stm

Some other interesting news from the last few days;


'Super museum' proposed in shake up

A multi-million pound 'super museum' could be built in Portsmouth's Victoria Park, The News can reveal.

The City Museum and Central Library would be sold off and their contents re-housed in a brand new £37m landmark building if plans go ahead.

Victoria Swimming Baths would be demolished to make room for the four-storey cultural centre – which would be almost four times the size of the current City Museum.

As well as housing current collections and library books, the centre would have room for the world-renowned Arthur Conan Doyle collection.

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/39Super-museum39-proposed-in-shake.4915022.jp


VT to leave partnership with BAE

VT Group today announced it was leaving the shipbuilding business.

The firm signed an agreement last summer to go into partnership with BAE Systems to create a new shipbuilding giant BVT responsible for building the Type 45 destroyers and the new supercarriers.

But today the group announced it was to sell its share in the venture to BAE, which remains committed to producing the ships in Portsmouth.

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/VT-to-leave-partnership-with.4920836.jp


This cultural centre could be fantastic. It is clearly going to be a major civic building housing the central library, city museum, records office, Conan Doyle collection and space for travelling exhibitions. But what can £37m actually buy in terms of truely high quality architecture? Im guessing its not enough for a masterpiece?

They can't get rid of the Viccy Swim Baths, that is where I go twice weekly, when the new 50m one opens I would still rather go to Viccy because it is on campus (handy for breaks) and I would feel intimidated by 50m anyway.

Ive always thought the city museum to be quite poor by regional standards if not national. The building was always beautiful (especially from the back) but it was more akin to an old school than a museum. Hopefully this will help tie in the city center a bit more with gunwarf.

BBC about 4 months to late lol, this has been on hold for a while, in fact I think a lot of it has gone in for redesign :s

Not seen this posted anywhere:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7861794.stm

City redevelopment plans on hold

A John Lewis store is set to be the centrepiece of the plan

Plans for a £500m redevelopment of an area of Portsmouth have been put on hold indefinitely.

The Northern Quarter proposal would see the site of the former Tricorn Centre turned into shops, a hotel, bars, restaurants and open spaces.

But developers Centros said it was not seeking to use a Compulsory Purchase Order secured in 2007 to clear land.

The council leader said he was "disappointed" but still confident the project will go ahead in the future.

The Compulsory Purchase Order expires in December 2010.

Still committed

It was granted by Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, following a public inquiry.

Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, leader of the council, said: "Clearly it is very disappointing for the council, and the people of Portsmouth, that Centros have had to make this announcement.

"But as they announced in July, they have been reviewing their Northern Quarter scheme in the light of the economic situation, and we all know how serious that situation is."

The council said it was expecting a report in March on how to proceed.

Centros said it was still committed to a redeveloped city centre, which would include John Lewis and Marks and Spencer stores.

This isnt the BBC being slow ill tonkso it was previously being redesigned now it has been put on hold indefinitely.

£500m Northern Quarter project put on hold

Published Date:
30 January 2009

The £500m transformation of Portsmouth's city centre has been put on hold indefinitely, The News can reveal.

Developers Centros have told council leaders they won't be able to build the Northern Quarter by 2011.

It means compulsory purchase orders – which allow them to buy up property to make way for the development – will expire in 2010 before any work starts.

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/500m-Northern-Quarter-project-put.4929993.jp


Even more interestingly;

Dubai investors were ready to back Quarter

Published Date:
31 January 2009

A DUBAI investment firm offered to pay for Portsmouth's Northern Quarter shopping scheme just weeks before it fell victim to the credit crunch, The News can reveal.

A Southampton-based broker approached Portsmouth City Council on behalf of the firm and offered the full amount to get the £500m city centre transformation off the ground.

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Dubai-investors-were-ready-to.4933085.jp

News of an exciting new addition to Gunwharf;

Raymond Blanc to open Gunwharf restaurant

Published Date:
16 January 2009

Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc is set to open a new restaurant in Portsmouth.

The French culinary genius has chosen Gunwharf Quays for his latest Brasserie Blanc after being impressed by the waterside complex.

The restaurant will be in the ground floor of the iconic 'lipstick' building, No.1 Gunwharf Quays.

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Raymond-Blanc-to-open-Gunwharf.4982857.jp

There’s also been some movement on PFC's stadium plans. A planning application has been made for the development of some housing on vacant land near Fratton Park the revenue from which will fund the planning application for the stadium and FP redevelopment.

More importantly it is looking increasingly likely that the ownership of the club will have changed by the end of this week The new owners main focus is likely to be the stadium and training ground which have been designed as an entirely self funding venture. Hopefully the associated developments will produce enough money to make the new stadium a Herzog masterpiece instead of a value engineered disappointment.

cheers for the updates people. yes sad about the northern quarter so that remains a giant car park for the forseeable future - not good. and i presume that means the jon lewis store remains in southsea.

i may dust my camera down and get some pictures of eastside plaza sometime soon! i noticed they were doing some extra work on it a few days ago near the top but i'm not certain what was happening there. but yes hopefully the person who takes PFC over has loads of cash and doesnt happen to be an asset stripper like what happened at Brighton.

£18m 'community hub' will transform deprived city area

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/hub.jpg

Published Date:
18 February 2009

It's taken 10 years – but the transformation of one of Portsmouth's most deprived areas is set to begin in spectacular style.

This state-of-the-art 'community hub' will be the first major step in the regeneration of Somers Town.

The building will house a health centre, youth club, housing office and community centre in a glass-fronted bridge that will straddle Winston Churchill Avenue in the heart of the city.

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/18m-39community-hub39-will-transform.4990603.jp

Whilst I welcome the news that Somers town is to get these facilities I am at a loss to understand the reasoning behind the design of this hub. It appears to go against everything that the Area SPD aimed to achieve and as far as I can tell will destroy any prospect of Winston Churchill Avenue becoming the tree lined 'avenue' it should be.

It looks like the council have decided to limit their ambitions to a modern take on the classic M1 service station. Instead of new streets forming a proper cohesive part of the city we will have what we have always had; a council estate with an urban motorway.

My first thoughts were m1 service station! Maybe the first step in regenerating this area should be to demolish it! Churchil way would never have been a boulavard of trees without some improovement to the buildings around it anyway.

Well i thought thats what the council was aiming to do but this hub appears to go against all the plans they set out in the Area Action Plan.

P.S.
200th post on the Portsmouth thread there Cardiff. I wonder what projects we will be talking about in 200 posts time?

Well maybe its time to take stock of whats happened and what we hope will happen.

Personally i think gunwharf is one of the best new developments in the UK and from my travels is up there with alot of international cities. I cant think of a more pleasant place to spend an afternoon in the summer (obviously in an urban context). Spinnaker tower and east side plaza are great towers and thier relation to the sea is superb, truely the best entrance to the UK (if the ferry is as nice!). The only critasism i have is that the new apartment block next to east side plaza isnt as high quality looking as the other apartments and the lack of a major hotel (i mean an express or whatever it is) is a real let down. I suppose it leaves scope for another highrise hotel hopefully and something i would like to see. The city center (comercial rd and environs) is still stuck in the past despite the demolition of the tricorn and i cant help but think this is where the city is a real let down. I doubt that any development will be as grand as the origional designs but if it does come together then portsmouth will be better than its rival in almost every way.

Developments near southsea station have come as a bit unexpect to be honest, im glad they have come as hopefully this will mean more of a link between the guildhall area and comercial rd, but wholesale redevelopment of guildhall square ala peace guardens in Sheffield are what i would love to see with better links to the center and gunwharf created (ie make it the center of the city).

Southsea has always been a nice area but has kind of sat on its laurels a bit. I think investment in the shopping area (just a general clean up really) and work on paths etc along the waterfront.

Hopefully the new stadium wont be an identicate rubbish looking box, but i think its looking more likely as time goes on.

:)

£100m scheme set to give city a big jobs boost

12 March 2009

A multi-million-pound redevelopment of a city centre landmark has been given the go-ahead by Portsmouth City Council.

Councillors yesterday voted unanimously in favour of the £100m Zurich House scheme which includes two new hotels, 55 apartments, restaurants, offices and bars in Stanhope Road, Portsmouth.

The recession-busting project is expected to create 668 new jobs in the city when it is up and running and developers McAleer and Rushe say they are keen to get started immediately.

Adrian Stewart, planning agent for the developers, said: 'We feel this will make a positive impact into Portsmouth. In a time of recession the site will offer a great opportunity for the city.'

The plans will see the former Zurich building transformed into a three-star plus hotel with 207 bedrooms and 47 long-stay hotel suites.

National hotel chain Jury's Inn is already on board for the project and a second hotel is going to be built from scratch with a further 243 beds.

A third building on the current car park would create residential and office space and a new landscaped pedestrian entrance to Victoria Park from Stanhope Road will be built.

Cllr Luke Stubbs welcomed the plans, saying: 'I think given the situation of the economy it is a good idea for someone to start a new scheme now.'

Tory councillor Donna Jones said to the developers at yesterday's planning meeting: 'This application would bring new jobs to the city and at the time when the economy is as it is, I thank you for that.'

But although the scheme was agreed by all, Cllr Lee Hunt said the design of the new buildings was not good enough for Portsmouth.

He said: 'I know they are putting a lot of money into Portsmouth but if I had my way I would ask we got better buildings – if we were Barcelona we would be demanding better.

'I am not convinced. We want to be a city of culture and show off the history of Portsmouth.

'Nothing about these buildings reflects that. We have just gone into this mono look.

'I think we could do a bit better.' http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/100m-scheme-set-to-give.5064532.jp#3839495

Some more information has come to light about the whole Somers Town, community centre, regeneration thing. There is a new Area Action plan with some rather odd amendments. It’s clear the council has had to scale back their ambition due to local opposition/community consultation. It seems they have left the master planning to the community which has produced some very half-arsed results.

You can access the AAP from the link on here;
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Somers-Town-scheme-gets-green.5063323.jp

It seriously needs doing, one thing that griped me though is that Winston Churchill Avenue really screws up the urban density around the Police Station area. You would have thought that at such a prime city centre location there would be more than bare car parks. If I had the chance I would replace the Ibis Hotel too, it has a crappy surface carpark and a very inactive frontage with the streetscape.
Has anyone else noticed that the Student Accom, Trafalagar Hall needs a good clean now too?

The Ibis, the uni offices, the police station and courts all need to go they make the place seem so desolate and hostile to pedestrians. Even the brand new Highbury college building is terrible. It’s really very depressing when you compare these buildings to Charter House which has a quality ‘big city’ feel which modern buildings around there just don't possess. The red brick office buildings opposite (in the middle of the traffic junction, roundabout thing) clearly belong on some out of town office park and not in one of the most prominent locations in the whole city. In fact that site is perfect for a very tall building, a great big landmark at the end of WC avenue and Anglesea Rd.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5651/badclad.jpg

Totally inappropriately bulky, awful cladding. The new apartment building adjacent to Cosham Station...

Battleship grey, never a good idea for a building in a county with a climate such as ours. Terracotta would have been better than that. In fact it would have looked ok in almost any other colour.

Do you know if there will be retail space on the ground floor it would help to brighten it up a bit?

I hope so, though I fear the ground floor is going to be Parking...

Just checked the planning application (http://www.ukplanning.com/portsmouth/findCaseFile.do;jsessionid=34A0DDD4ADD9732AFC96964A26378D77.wam1?address=Roebuck%20Close&appType=planning%20folder) and there will be two commercial units on the ground floor. It seems this was originally destined to be striped grey and terracotta coloured plastic cladding, just lovely.

Its good that Cosham can attract some big resi developments but they really need to be better than this. There is really no excuse for this and its the planning department which are at fault, they approve the details of cladding and external finishes.

Glad there is SOMETHING, should maybe help lighten the area up then around the park, those Victorian Terraces just to the right of this are really nice though...

Good news here, I have started my new Pompey Photo Tour!
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=33576100#post33576100

£500m revamp of city centre is six years away

The £500m transformation of Portsmouth city centre has been delayed for at least six years, The News can reveal.

Developers Centros said work won't start on the Northern Quarter scheme until 2015 to give it time to draw up a new masterplan as well as getting planning permission and other legal agreements.

It comes after the project was put on hold as it was not 'economically viable' in the recession.

Portsmouth City Council had the chance to scrap its contract with Centros in the hope of finding another developer.

But the ruling Lib Dem cabinet agreed to give up that right at a meeting last week, despite calls from opposition councillors to put the contract out to tender.

Centros owns huge chunks of land in the city centre, including the site of the former Tricorn building, the JobCentre at Lake Road and the Dorchester Arms pub.

Confidential advice from city lawyers Ashursts, seen by The News, says Centros could put up a fight against the use of this land if the council ditched them for another developer.

The report says Centros has in-depth knowledge of the council's plans and finances which could be used to scupper alternative schemes.

It advised the council to stick with Centros despite the delays.

Deputy Tory leader Alistair Thompson said: 'The council has put pound signs before common sense and now Centros has us over a barrel.'

Centros is planning a redesign of the scheme, that could include scrapping plans for flats, creating two layers of shops to increase retail rental and moving the anchor stores John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.

City leaders are adamant no-one else will be able to deliver a better scheme more quickly .

Cllr Mike Hancock, who is in charge of planning, regeneration and economic development, said: 'If this was viable Centros would want to make it work.

'If we go through this again with another developer it would be 2020 plus before we get a scheme.'

Centros has council-set targets to meet between now and 2015.

Council finance boss Roger Ching said: 'We are disappointed it is slipping but we are pleased we still have a developer that not only has already invested £50m in the city but that is prepared to come back with a new scheme at a future date.'

Centros development director John Marsh said in a letter to Mr Ching: 'We remain entirely confident that the partnership strength we have developed with the council will outlive the current market uncertainty.'


CENTROS' PROPOSED NEW TIME FRAME

2009: Work up a new scheme, consult with the council, residents, businesses and retail chains.

2010: By June Centros and the city council should have agreed on a new scheme. The rest of the year will be spent preparing outline planning application along with environmental assessments.

2011: Centros assume outline planning permission will be granted by the end of 2011. New applications for Compulsory Purchase Orders and Road Closure Orders will be made.

2012: Preparation of a 'reserved matters' planning application setting out detailed designs and carry out consultation.

2013: Submit reserved matters planning application. Any public inquiry over CPOs or RCOs.

2014: 12-month period for any court challenges.


Scheme has been plagued by snags

The Northern Quarter scheme has been a long-held dream of Portsmouth City Council.

Developers Centros came up with plan involving more than 80 shops, cafes and restaurants that was set to transform Commercial Road into a major shopping attraction.

But it has been plagued with problems since the outset.

City centre trader Mark Austin launched a series of legal challenges against Compulsory Purchase Orders issued by the council to force businesses to sell their land to make way for the scheme.

And in spring last year Centros revealed building costs were much higher than anticipated.

This, along with plummeting property prices, forced them to announce in July they were going back to the drawing board to come up with a scheme that would cost less and offer shareholders a higher return.

But in January this year they revealed they were not going to meet the deadline of December 2010 to start the project before the CPOs expired.

Mr Austin, 51, from Southsea, who has been a vocal opponent of the scheme from the beginning, said: 'I feel totally vindicated.

'They have blamed me for the delays but I always said that Centros didn't have the capability to deliver this scheme and now that has been proven.'

City centre traders who were issued with CPOs can force the council to buy their properties using blight notices if they don't want to keep their businesses and wait for Centros to come up with a new scheme. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/500m-revamp-of-city-centre. (http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/500m-revamp-of-city-centre.5073660.jp)5073660.jp

As one end of Commercial roads fortunes rise the situation at the other end gets worse. Centros are being far too pessimistic with this. Its a real shame that the redesign is likely to produce a solely retail development. I would have liked to have seen a strong residential element + hotel and/or office space to make this a coherent part of the city. This may well become a West Quay like mall.

They have left 12 months in their timeframe in expectation of Mark Austins legal challenges! :bash:

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9153/horsea.jpg
New image of the Portsea Island development, housing and stadium.

I love this, but i've seen that render before. I hope it goes ahead.

Interesting bit of news from the last few days is that the Victoria swimming baths are definitely going to be demolished in the near future and that the university is interested in building student accommodation on the site. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Swimming-pool-to-be-bulldozed.5130634.jp

A few months ago I stumbled across a council planning document which showed the city council would be open to the development of a tall building at this location. However I think it has since been removed from their site. Given the small size of the plot and that the uni is interested it would have to be tallish but the quality probably wont be that good.

That has really pissed me off, I dont want to travel to the Mountbatten Centre to swim (I go twice a week). The Victoria Baths are right on campus and near my new flat. Also I feel intimidated by a 50m pool, a lot of people will...

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9153/horsea.jpg
New image of the Portsea Island development, housing and stadium.

I know you shouldn't really trust renders but :drool:

I do not even think Portsmouth CC have taken any notice of the thousands of people campaigning to save their city centre pool...
Why should we have to bus/drive out to Hilsea to swim? One of the reasons I chose the location of my new flat is the proximity to the pool!! (I swim twice weekly)

BBC:
Plan revealed to save navy museum

A naval museum in Gosport could be saved from the axe with the team behind Portsmouth Historic Dockyard looking to secure the attraction.

Explosion!, at Priddy's Hard, opened eight years ago but has been hit by a funding crisis.

Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust is in final negotiations with Gosport Borough Council to secure the deal.

The move could see a waterbus service set up across the harbour allowing visitors to see both attractions.

'Uniting two sides'

Councillor Peter Chegwyn, of Gosport council, said: "If just some of their current 470,000 visitors a year make the journey across the harbour to enjoy Explosion!, it has to be great news for Gosport.

"It will really put the town on the map as part of a harbour-wide visitor destination. This really is a case of partnership working at its very best."

Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust owns Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on lease from the Ministry of Defence.

Peter Goodship, the trust's chief executive, said: "We hope that by saving Explosion! from closure we can realise our ambition of uniting the two sides of the harbour.

"Portsmouth Harbour is one of the finest historic sites in the world and deserves to benefit Portsmouth, Gosport and Fareham in the same way as Cardiff Bay benefits the Cardiff community and Sydney Harbour benefits Sydney." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8011662.stm

Good news, this should have been the case from the very beginning. Explosion was never going to be a big enough draw for people to bother crossing the harbour and walking along to Priddy’s Hard. A waterbus and some form of unified ticket for all attractions and transport will get people over there.

This also means the Priddy’s Hard development can go ahead and they are looking at the possibility of a hotel there;http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Lifeline-for-Explosion-as-Priddy39s.5184353.jp

More good news for Gosport.

£145m regeneration finally gets the nod

22 April 2009
By Rob Dabrowski

Plans to regenerate an estate have finally been given the green light.

Last night councillors unanimously voted to push ahead with the £145m plans to bulldoze and rebuild the Rowner estate in Gosport.

With vast swathes of houses already empty, work is months away from starting at the southern end of the estate.

One of the few people still living in the south of the estate is Trish Bookham, 52, of Birmingham Court, who is pleased the plans have finally been agreed.

She said: 'It's good to finally hear that it's going ahead.'

Demolition and building work is set to start near Howe Road this autumn, with the work continuing in phases and the entire project due for completion in 2017.

The centrepiece of the plan to build 700 new homes is a 10-storey residential building. Around this will be a mixture of traditional-style terrace housing and modern hi-spec flats. There will also be a supermarket, shops and a tree-lined road going through the centre of the estate.

It will be surrounded by grassland and an area for the annual Rowner Carnival and Christmas carol event.

The plans last night united the three political parties, which have been at loggerheads over many issues in recent months.

But in a rare political moment of unity for the council, all parties agreed and the debate was over in a matter of minutes before councillors gave the nod.

Tory Councillor Chris Carter said: 'This is probably one of the most important planning applications that Gosport has seen in a long time and I'd like to thank all parties for their involvement in it.'

Leader of the Lib Dem council, Councillor Dave Smith, added: 'We all know how much this is needed and I'm delighted that we've come this far, now I'm looking forward to Rowner being regenerated into the place we want it to be.'

FITNESS CENTRE AGREED

Plans for a new fitness centre and a revamp of a school sports buildings were approved last night.

About 20 concerned residents attended the meeting in which the £11m proposal for Bay House School was given the go ahead.

Two Tory councillors voted against the plans for the school in Gomer Lane, Alverstoke, but the six Lib Dem and Labour councillors pushed them through.

The plans for the school's 20-acre Browndown sports site include revamping the school's dilapidated sports hall.
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/145m-regeneration-finally-gets-the.5194243.jp

Freefall jump planned for tower

Plans have been submitted for what could become the highest freefall jump of its kind in the northern hemisphere, at the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.

If approved, the fan-assisted 120m (394ft) high attraction would be situated behind the tower.

The company behind the plans said it would not obscure the views of the harbour and would fit in with the Spinnaker Tower's style.

Dropzone said it would not be noisy and be subject to a rigorous set of tests.

Juliana Delaney, chief executive at the Continuum Group, which manages the Spinnaker Tower, said: "We want the Spinnaker Tower to appeal to as many people as possible.

"We believe this unique attraction will give visitors a new incentive to travel to Portsmouth and experience all it has to offer, as well as encouraging further customers to other local businesses and nearby attractions."

Continuum said the freefall would become the highest jump of its kind in the northern hemisphere.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8022081.stm

News story: http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Jump-attraction-for-Spinnaker-Tower.5212328.jp

This is whats being proposed: http://www.powerfan.co.uk/Default.aspx

As a 1 off maybe but not a permanant thing, makes it seem more of a fun fair than the modern symbol of the city.

How AWESOME would that be! I really hope that happens, I would most certainly do it.

I've been up the Spinnaker Tower twice, I think this would persuade me to make a third visit!

Good news from the snooze;http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Relief-as-Redknapp-agrees-to.5260514.jp

Relief as Redknapp agrees to demolish former nightspot

Published Date:
13 May 2009

Former Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has vowed to tear down a seafront eyesore after pressure from city leaders.

Councillors say the derelict Savoy Buildings in Southsea, which Mr Redknapp owns, is ruining the character of the area.

Portsmouth City Council had considered forcing him to erect a giant screen around the dilapidated site, opposite South Parade Pier, to shield it from public view.

But Redknapp, who is also pictured on the front page, has now promised to flatten the site this summer.

Work can then start on building 92 flats, for which permission was granted in July 2007 and is valid for three years.

The Tottenham boss, who left Pompey in October last year, told The News: 'We want to push on with it.

'It needs to be done. It's been an eyesore there for years and it's a beautiful promenade, it doesn't need that eyesore.

'We just want to get on, do it, get it moved on, and get out. It's a distraction I could do without.'

The Savoy Buildings date back to 1929, and their most recent use was by the Time & Envy nightclub, which shut in 2006 after complaints from residents.

Nihad Obagi, 63, director of Leo Developments, which is in charge of the project, said: 'For the first 18 months very little happened, and now it's all happening pretty quickly and there's a lot to gear up for.

'There's been a certain element of pressure, obviously, to get things moving. The biggest problem had been the market.

'Had it continued to be buoyant, I don't think we'd have needed any pressure, we'd have gone ahead and built it.'

Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock welcomed the news.

'A number of people raised it with me personally – it's one of the things that has come up time and time again,' he said.

'I must have about a dozen letters from people really concerned about the diabolical state of it. We don't want to see derelict buildings anywhere in the city, but especially in such a prominent tourist site.'

Asked if he was still expecting to make money from the venture, Redknapp told The News: 'Are you kidding me?

'It's a nightmare time to own any property at the moment. How can you make a profit when you bought two years ago?

'Anyone who bought property two years ago is in a mess. But we'll see. Who knows, the market might turn.'

WHAT IS PLANNED

The plans are to demolish the Savoy Buildings and build 92 flats in its place, and then to convert the neighbouring Savoy Court into 18 flats.

Plans for the 18 flats have not yet been submitted.

But the architects, Bournemouth-based Leo Developments run by Nihad Obagi, a friend of Harry Redknapp, are currently drawing them up.

From demolition to completion, the architects estimate it will take around two and a half years to finish.

While the Savoy Buildings are demolished, it is proposed that a fabric or wooden hoarding will be erected around the site and covered with artwork.

The architects are exploring whether to use a professional artist or local art students to paint and colour the hoarding.

Ths is it:
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/southsea.jpg

And some bad news;

Beach wrangle sparks anger over 'gamble'

Published Date:
13 May 2009

City council leaders have been accused of gambling with taxpayers' money in trying to protect a nudist beach.

Councillors have refused to allow a piece of land leading to a new development at Eastney from being turned into a road.

This now prevents Qinetiq from building 131 flats overlooking the beach at Fort Cumberland because a planning condition, imposed by the city council, requires it to improve access to the site.

City solicitor Michael Lawther warned the authority it could face a costly legal battle with Qinetiq for acting unreasonably.

Tory leader Councillor Steve Wemyss said: 'I am absolutely appalled that the Liberal Democrat administration has flown in the face of reason and turned down a decision that's already been made that now has the potential to cost the city council millions. They are gambling with taxpayers' cash.'

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Beach-wrangle-sparks-anger-over.5260782.jp

Hello one and all! I had a drive along the seafront yesterday and well I cant help but feel it was a mistake to allow the savoy buildings total demolition, the facade could have at least been saved!

The Mountbatten centre is looking impressive but they missed a trick by not putting in more than 200 spectator seats - there is plenty of space for more and then large national galas (possibly international) could have been held there. . . . shame.

Read the bad news in ‘The News’ last week that the relationship between the city council and the Tipner regeneration company has broken down – not surprised.

But it’s not all bad news with regard to the entrance to the city’s enhancement. It was announced today that the takeover of PFC is allowed by the FA and the contract should be signed imminently – wonder how long it will be before the work on the Horsea island stadium starts?

It might even kick-start the Tipner regeneration since that is where the large car park for the stadium was supposed to be located – if both projects go ahead that area will be very impressive alongside the Mountbatten centre (once they increase the seating capacity that is).

My first attempt at posting photos, courtesy of Chris Mathews on 'Panoramio':


The view of the new Mountbatten centre as you drive into the car park - taken in April, not much has changes in appearance since then apart from alittle landscaping.

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/21313613.jpg

a different view

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/21313600.jpg

Nice pics cravendale welcome to the forum. The Tipner situation isn’t surprising at all; John Pounds (who owns most of the land and is in charge of the TRC) never had the knowhow or finances to get a scheme of that size off the ground. It is so frustrating that the three big developments in Portsmouth (stadium, Tipnor and Northern quarter) are now in a state of limbo. Something needs to start moving soon because the M275 route into Portsmouth is looking appallingly dilapidated. From the M27 you pass an enormous rubbish dump, a scrap yard, a great big space where the Tricorn stood surrounded by the abandoned shops which were due for demolition and the boarded up remains of the Victoria swimming baths. It’s seriously depressing that all these sites are in various stages of planning for development but that nothing is moving forward to begin construction.

I wouldn’t expect the stadium to start any time soon either. Al Fahim clearly doesn’t have the personal wealth to just pay for the thing outright, it looks as if the plan to first expand fratton park and then move is still the favoured option

Been to Portsmouth recently, what is being currently being built behind Trafalgar Hall, any info?

Supposed to be apartments, currently mothballed due to the credit crunch.

Is the Northen Quarter under construction yet?

Unfortunately no, it's embarrassing.

Unfortunately no, it's embarrassing.

Aaah ok.

Why? They've already secured anchor tenants and the plans are approved aren't they???

The contractors pulled out, did not want to build in this current financial climate, despite the existence of anchor tenants...

The contractors pulled out, did not want to build in this current financial climate, despite the existence of anchor tenants...

ffs :bash: Would've really liked to see this built soon.

So would I, it makes Portsmouth look a state, things seem to be getting built in Southampton and that is why they get the business. Build it and they will come. Southampton has recently finished a nice new high spec office building in the city centre, but Portsmouth City Council wont build stuff like that, they should.

So would I, it makes Portsmouth look a state, things seem to be getting built in Southampton and that is why they get the business. Build it and they will come. Southampton has recently finished a nice new high spec office building in the city centre, but Portsmouth City Council wont build stuff like that, they should.

What building is this?

So would I, it makes Portsmouth look a state, things seem to be getting built in Southampton and that is why they get the business. Build it and they will come. Southampton has recently finished a nice new high spec office building in the city centre, but Portsmouth City Council wont build stuff like that, they should.

We have plenty of office schemes in the pipeline its not the councils fault that they are not getting built. Southampton’s city centre office market is more buoyant than ours for all sorts of reasons not least that of accessibility. Southampton is much better connected in terms of rail, road and air than Portsmouth is ever likely to be. While the geographic setting of Portsmouth is outstanding it does have major drawbacks for growth and development.

Have just received excellent news re the newest addition to the skyline; Number One Portsmouth. I emailed the developer Robert Gamlen to see if any progress was being made and received this reply:

Re: 'Number One Portsmouth'‏
From: robert@robertgamlenhomes.com
Sent: 05 August 2009 11:43:29
To:

I have an operator on Board. I am finalising the funding and once this has been done then construction will begin. The internal works for the demolition are already underway.

There will be a press release done in due course.

Regards


Robert Gamlen

I honestly cannot believe it, I thought this tower was never going to happen now with the current state of the financial climate, go Portsmouth!

WOW! That is some good news - i thought this site had less chance of happening than Tipner.
This will look stunning along with the conversion of the Zurich building (the company has secured a £30 million loan) along with the cluster of buildings on and around the site, one of which will be taller than Zurich house. Simply fantastic.

Pompey77, post that on the 70m under construction thread. As your email implies that they are preparing the site for clearance.

Early work begins to give ferry port new look for the future


Date:
04 August 2009
By Adam Kula
Preparation work has begun on a multimillion-pound project to replace Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port's tired and ageing terminal.
Around 370,000 paving blocks are being laid on the two-acre site where the new £15m terminal will stand.

And construction work has also begun on a new building for the port's stevedores – the dockers who load and unload ships – in readiness for the destruction of the old building later this year.

It is just the start of the multimillion-pound development, which port boss Martin Putman said cannot come soon enough.

'It'll be a massive update to what's now a very dated facility,' he said.

'The current terminal was built in 1976 and was put up as a temporary building.

'We've done all we can to it to make it a better experience for passengers but there is a limit and it needs renewing.

'We also need it to cope with cruise passengers coming in.

'These people expect a higher standard now than in 1976, and the current terminal is not really reflective of the experience people get on board luxury ferries, or in Portsmouth today.'

The port said it expects 22 cruise ships will have visited Portsmouth in 2009, and is angling for 'more than 25' of the lucrative tourist stops in 2010.

Martin Dennison, from the Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Partnership, said the city badly needed a bigger and better gateway.

'For years it's been getting old and decrepit, and it's so important for people arriving in Portsmouth because it may be one of the only things they see in the city,' he added.

'It's like airports – a kind of "welcome to the country".

'I have heard some people saying it's not the best design it could be.

'But my own view is that it seems spacious and from a passenger and visitor point of view the most important thing is to process them quickly and efficiently.'

Construction work on the terminal is still awaiting approval from Portsmouth City Council, but Mr Putman said he is confident it will be given the go-ahead.

The new terminal is planned as an open-plan glass building close to the site of the current terminal, and work is expected to begin around November.

This is good news - assuming the council give permission for the new terminal construction of course. Its a simple design but effective i think.

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo142/jopno22/2-1.jpg http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo142/jopno22/7.jpg http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo142/jopno22/5.jpg http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo142/jopno22/3.jpg

brilliant jopno, you gonna do the other building?

Spitbank fort nightclub plan approved

Published Date: 14 August 2009

Plans to turn a 131-year-old sea fort into a nightclub-cum-brewery have been approved.
The owners of Spitbank Fort, off Southsea, say that if the nightclub is successful it will fund the establishment of the brewery and bottling plant.

This would tap into fresh water pumped to the surface from beneath the Solent seabed.

Co-owner Neale Brickwood, 44, said this would make it the most exclusive nightclub in the UK.

He said: 'The brewery still forms part of the plans but the priority is to push it as a nightclub.

'It's all ready to go. We've got two bars already. We just need a sound system in there.'

Other additions for the fort will be a helipad and a wind turbine, which had raised some concern among residents along the shore of the Solent.

The change of use was approved under delegated powers by Portsmouth City Council planning department officers, despite objections raised by the Friends of Old Portsmouth group.

Its planning representative, Terry Halloran, of St Thomas' Street, said: 'I'd prefer that it remain untouched but then it might just deteriorate.

'If you need some commercial activities to keep the site in use for the good of the people then so be it.'

He added: 'It's almost like the Pyramids. You need a money-making side to it so the public can continue to benefit from it being there.'

Although he said it was too far out to be a noise problem, he questioned the wisdom of transporting 'young and inebriated' clubbers to and from the fort by boat.

Matt 'CB' Whittenham, 35, from Baffins Road, who is the founder of the Coalition promotions company, is aiming to put on a string of events at the fort.

He said: 'It's a good venue – unique. You can't beat standing on the balcony looking at the Isle of Wight seeing the sun go down; you feel you're somewhere quite mystical.

'But to put on events there you've got to be a good promoter and know your stuff, because it takes a lot to get people out there.'

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Spitbank-fort-nightclub-plan-approved.5557027.jp

Heres a link to my models: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?uq=14885410272707959046&scoring=m

And a link to Portsmouth Models: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/cldetails?mid=ce7ed444beef0bbd319ac5ec7af4f8f&ct=mdcc&prevstart=0

(some of the models in those images are not mine)

This is a great idea;

Hot Walls could become a hotbed of artistic work to rival Brighton

Published Date: 17 August 2009

Unused spaces inside Old Portsmouth's Hot Walls are set to be transformed into an artist's haven to rival Brighton.

Seafront manager David Evans has grand plans to bring caverns and tunnels back into use.

The doors have been locked and boarded over since an old military museum closed more than two decades ago.

But now local artists will be able to display their work for free and pass on to Portsmouth City Council a cut of the profits from anything sold. It is part of a project to transform the area around the Round Tower into an artists' quarter.

Mr Evans hopes to attract a classy cafe that could operate from beneath the arches, as well as a professional gallery which would help subsidise the local artists.

He has visions of stripping away boards and uncovering windows, replacing old metal grilles with opaque glass.

He said: 'It is an amazing opportunity to open the whole area up. At the moment a lot of it is wasted space or storage that people don't even know is here.

'Wouldn't it be great if we could make it into somewhere people came instead of Brighton?'

Mr Evans has submitted a bid for some funding to carry out a feasibility study to see whether or not it would work.

Costs for the entire project have not been worked out, but he said the cash would not come from council coffers.

And expenses are expected to be low as there are already electricity and sewage facilities that just need to be brought back into use.

'There are pots of money available specifically for bringing unused spaces back to use,' Mr Evans said. 'English Heritage is already supportive of the idea.'

The ARTches project has been welcomed by councillors.

Cllr Robin Sparshatt, Conservative spokesman for culture and leisure, said: 'It would be a brilliant idea to rejuvenate that area.

'If we are going to go ahead with our bid to become a city of culture then this is exactly the sort of thing we need.' http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Hot-Walls-could-become-a.5559368.jp

Sounds a good idea, i remeber some stalls being set up there before, i remeber it being quite regular but it obviously didnt last long.