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4 days ago | 
portsmouth.co.uk | Toby Paine
A £3m investment has been confirmed for a local Skills Bootcamp to address skills shortages, support economic growth, and reduce reliance on migrant labour. The funding forms part of Labour’s “Plan for Change”, which includes reforms designed to increase access to training in sectors such as construction, healthcare, and technology. Nationally, the plan includes the creation of 120,000 new training places and 30,000 new apprenticeships, along with expanded access to adult learning courses.
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4 days ago | 
portsmouth.co.uk | Toby Paine
Councillors had “no legal choice” but to approve a controversial HMO in Fratton, according to Portsmouth City Council’s chief planner, despite concerns it may be “substandard”. Portsmouth planners, councillors and campaigners weighed in on a controversial and legally complex application concerning a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) on Sheffield Road, Fratton.
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5 days ago | 
portsmouth.co.uk | Toby Paine
Plans have been submitted to convert the Patisserie Valerie café at the Tram Shed in Gunwharf Quays into a bubble tea shop. A listed building consent application has been sent to Portsmouth City Council for changes inside the historic Tram Shed, which sits in Market Square and is currently home to the café. The proposal asks for permission to replace the existing bar and make small changes to window coverings.
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5 days ago | 
portsmouth.co.uk | Toby Paine
Portsmouth councillors and planning officials have revisited the city’s approach to regulating Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), as concerns persist over their impact on neighbourhoods. At a recent Planning Policy Cabinet meeting, members reviewed a detailed report outlining current HMO regulations and how decisions are made regarding their approval.
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6 days ago | 
bbc.com | Toby Paine
Former Royal Marines museum hotel plan approvedToby PaineLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceGrand Hotel Excelsior International LimitedThe museum building was bought by the hotel company for £4.5m in 2020A plan to convert Southsea's former Royal Marines Museum into a 96-bedroom luxury hotel has been approved. The hotel will be operated by the Grand Hotel Excelsior International Limited and the Grade II listed building's exterior will be left untouched.
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1 week ago | 
portsmouth.co.uk | Toby Paine
Portsmouth is falling behind on housing targets by 1,703 homes over a three-year period, according to the government’s latest Housing Delivery Test. At a recent Planning Policy Cabinet meeting, Portsmouth City Councillors reviewed the figures, which assess whether local authorities are delivering enough homes to meet demand. The most recent result for 2020/21 – 2022/23 shows the city delivered just 26 per cent of the homes required—down from 38 per cent in the previous result.
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1 week ago | 
portsmouth.co.uk | Toby Paine
Portsmouth City Council is moving forward with plans to introduce higher charges for roadworks in an effort to cut disruption across the city. At a recent transport cabinet meeting, councillors agreed to progress a proposed lane rental scheme - a system that would allow the council to charge utility companies and contractors up to £2,500 per day for carrying out works on key parts of the road network.
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1 week ago | 
bbc.com | Toby Paine
Theatre's £5m revamp plans submitted to councilToby PaineLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceKings Theatre TrustThe work, including that at the front of the theatre, should take about 15 months to complete Plans to regenerate Portsmouth's Kings Theatre have been submitted, featuring a new cafe and bar, along with a new rehearsal studio. The Kings Theatre Trust submitted proposals to Portsmouth City Council, which include restoring the venue's Albert Road-facing façade.
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1 week ago | 
portsmouth.co.uk | Toby Paine
Plans to convert the former Royal Marines Museum into a 96-bedroom luxury hotel have been approved by Portsmouth City Council. The scheme will see the historic building’s exterior left untouched, with internal alterations creating hotel rooms, a function hall, dining area and lounge. Rear amenity buildings are set to house a gym, treatment rooms and a swimming pool.
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1 week ago | 
portsmouth.co.uk | Toby Paine
Portsmouth planners have given the green light to transform the former St Michael’s Lodge site into 18 new homes. Plans submitted on behalf of Yeoman Property Development Limited will see the construction of 12 houses and 6 flats on a rectangular plot bordered by Silver Street, Gold Street, and Stone Street in St Thomas ward. The development will include two one-bedroom and four two-bedroom flats for affordable rent, alongside four three-bedroom and eight four-bedroom houses for open market sale.
