Portsmouth City Council is preparing to take a decisive step on a regeneration plan that has been stalled for more than two decades. At a cabinet meeting next week councillors will consider appointing the English Cities Fund (ECF) to assess the viability and delivery options for the City Centre North scheme.
What the decision would mean
If the appointment is approved, the council would enter into a Development Management Services Agreement (DMSA) with ECF. That contract would fund work to produce a formal business case and a delivery strategy, including detailed analysis of infrastructure needs, market demand, viability and possible funding routes.
The authority says the arrangement would allow it to draw on private-sector regeneration expertise while retaining final control over any future decisions. ECF is a joint venture between Homes England, Legal & General and Muse, organisations already known for working on large-scale urban development projects.
"Homes England is described as the ‘government’s housing accelerator’"
Scale of the scheme
The outline permission granted in autumn 2023 set out an ambitious programme of change for the north end of the city centre. Key figures from the approved scheme include:
- 2,300 homes (as per planning consent)
- Up to 10,000 sq m of non-residential space
- 22,400 sq m of new public green space and amenity areas
| Element | Size / Number |
|---|---|
| Homes | 2,300 |
| Non-residential space | Up to 10,000 sq m |
| Green / public space | 22,400 sq m |
Why this matters locally
The redevelopment would represent one of the largest regeneration initiatives on the south coast and could reshape how the northern part of Portsmouth’s city centre functions — providing new housing, business premises and significant public realm improvements. For residents and local businesses the project promises new amenities and potential economic uplift, but also raises questions about the pace of delivery, funding, infrastructure capacity and the balance between housing types.
ECF’s partners bring complementary skills: Homes England has a national role in supporting housing supply; Legal & General acts as an institutional investor and asset manager; Muse is known for place-making and physical delivery. The council says the proposed approach is intended to tap that expertise while keeping democratic oversight with elected members.
Next steps and timeline
The cabinet is due to consider the report on 21 July. Should councillors agree to appoint ECF, the immediate next phase would be development of a business case and a delivery strategy under the terms of the DMSA. That work will test feasibility, examine funding options and identify the infrastructure interventions required to make the scheme deliverable.
Even with approval to proceed to the next stage, residents should expect several further steps before any construction begins: detailed design, procurement of contractors, and potentially further planning permissions for reserved matters or amendments. The council’s decision to proceed with a delivery partner is a preparatory move rather than an instruction to start building immediately.
Local stakeholders and residents will want to follow the cabinet meeting outcome closely; the decision will shape the timetable for public consultation and more detailed project planning.
