FAQs

The occupier will be a credible business user. We’re not able to name them for contractual reasons but it will be a high-quality operator. This is not a speculative building.

We anticipate that the building be occupied by approximately 600-1,000 people, using the space flexibly and in line with modern approaches to hybrid and flexible working.

Yes. We initially looked at a range of possible uses informed by the site’s location and by local planning policies. We considered homes, retail, office and mixed-use. We’re proposing an office use because we think this achieves the best solution for regenerating the site and providing benefit to the city and the local economy. Putting jobs in the city centre and next to the station makes sense.

The parking provision (cars and bicycles) is informed by a range of assessments, discussion with the occupier, and relevant planning policy. We think the proposals provide a good blend of on-site parking together with encouragement for sustainable and active travel choices.

We think so. We’re targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ for the building which is the highest level ranking. We’ve considered carbon, energy, materials and all aspects of what goes into the building and how the building would operate very carefully. This would be one of the greenest buildings in the city.

We’re designing a public square for public use. Ultimately the land is currently owned in a private capacity but the point is that anyone will be able to use and enjoy the space, so long as they are doing so responsibly and with appropriate regard for others.

We’re working towards a target date of summer 2026 for completing the building, ready to hand it over to the occupier.

We always look to procure the best and most appropriate contractors for any project. We would expect to use credible companies and they will either be local or national. We want this project to deliver local benefits both during construction and once it’s finished, occupied and operating.

We will submit a detailed planning application to Portsmouth City Council as the local planning authority. We would anticipate that the Council will take the application to its planning committee for determination.

All comments and feedback submitted as part of our public consultation will be considered and used to inform the proposals, potentially helping us to refine or adjust things before we finalise the planning application. We will prepare a report – a Statement of Community Engagement (SCE) – which will be submitted as part of the planning application. Your feedback will be used in line with the appropriate GDPR regulations.

We’re concentrating on this application for the former car park site at the moment. The old store building site has the potential to suit a number of complementary uses, including retail, leisure and/or office.

The site was originally railway sidings and part of a larger Portsmouth & Southsea railway station. The name is a nod to that railway heritage and the fact that the land was previously used as a goodsyard, serving the station and the city.