The PORTSMOUTH (and area) thread

[Pompey77]

Exhibition of Tipnor model: http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/Gat...led.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.

[Pompey77]

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.

[Pompey77]

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."

[Pompey77]

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.

[ill tonkso]

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

[Pompey77]

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.

[cardiff]

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!

[ill tonkso]

Originally Posted by cardiff

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...

[Pompey77]

Originally Posted by cardiff

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.

[Pompey77]

The application for the screen is on the councils website: http://www.ukplanning.com/portsmouth...&action=Search

It actually looks quite good:






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.

[Pompey77]

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:







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)





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)





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

[ill tonkso]

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

[Pompey77]

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

[ill tonkso]

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

[Pompey77]

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

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.

[ill tonkso]

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

[Pompey77]

Northern Quarter plans win approval

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.'

[Pompey77]

Pompey plans are welcomed

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.

[Pompey77]

Hayling Island plans to rival Gunwharf



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.

[Pompey77]

Im not sure about this rivalling Gunwharf 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.