The Local Plan

The planning policy framework for Portsmouth is currently provided by:

• The Portsmouth Plan (The Portsmouth Core Strategy) adopted in January 2012 and
• Two Area Action Plans for Somerstown and North Southsea (2012) and Southsea Town Centre (2007).
• This framework is supplemented by a number of saved policies from the Portsmouth City Local Plan (2006).

The new Local Plan will update and replace the three documents currently in use. It will include policies for the development and protection of land and site allocations for new development or for the re-development of existing buildings. The Local Development Scheme gives a timetable of activity that may be updated as the plan progresses, and a Statement of Community Involvement sets out how we consult when dealing with planning applications and preparing the new Local Plan.

Since our Issues and options consultation in 2017, we have prepared or received a wide range of evidence studies published below for comment during the consultation period from 11 February to Monday 25 March 2019. The summary document sets out the main points that have been identified. Following this the Plan will be drafted for full public consultation later this year.

You can discuss the evidence at "Drop-in" sessions during the consultation period

• Portsmouth Central Library (Guildhall Square), Guildhall Walk PO1 2DX
• Menuhin Room, Third floor (by Lily and Lime Café)
• Tuesday 12 February, 1pm - 5:45pm
• Wednesday 20 February, 1pm - 5:45pm
• Thursday 14 March, 1pm - 5:45pm

The main consultation documents and response forms are available from:

• Civic offices,
• City libraries (Evidence documents are also available)
• Community centres
• Housing offices.

We are also consulting on the Tipner and Hilsea development area. This is open from 11 February to 25 March 2019. For further information on the consultation and its events, visit our Future of Tipner and Horsea consultation page.

Please give all your feedback via our online consultation survey or via the paper copies available in the above locations. An electronic version can also be posted or emailed to the addresses below.

All the responses made to the previous Issues and Options consultation are still relevant and can be found at Public Access Portsmouth. They will be taken into account when we draft the Plan 

For any further comments or questions on the Local Plan, or you wish to be added to our list of contacts to be kept informed of future progress on the Local Plan, call us on 023 9243 7863, email us at planningpolicy@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or write to us at: Planning Policy, Portsmouth City Council, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2AU.

• Biodiversity background paper - this details the city's ecological networks and the existing strategies in place to minimise impacts on biodiversity, and considers how net gains in biodiversity could be delivered.
• Employment Land study - this sets out the most recent evidence on employment land needs in the city to 2036. It also provides a supplement to the Business Needs, Site Assessments and Employment Land Study consulted upon in 2017.
• Green Infrastructure background paper - this sets out how the city's green infrastructure can be protected and strengthened.
• Health background paper - this has been prepared consider how the Local Plan can be used as a tool to address the findings of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.
• Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) - this sets out how the technical exercise of identifying and evaluating land for its potential to deliver development for housing or economic purposes has been undertaken. It does not allocate land for development.
• Housing needs and housing targets - this provides and update to the Housing Needs and Housing Targets paper produced in 2017. It brings together the available evidence on housing need.
• Local Plan Update February 2019 - this summarises the current consultation and provides guidance on how to respond.
• Open spaces assessment - this contains an independent assessment of the amount and quality of open spaces across the city.
• Portsmouth gypsy and traveller needs - this sets out the results of an investigation into the needs for gypsy travellers and travelling show people for permanent pitches and plots in the city.
• Retail background paper - this sets out the most recent evidence available on retail needs and the health of the city's retail centres.
• Transport assessment evidence review - this is a review of existing high level analysis to support assessment of strategic sites in the city and identification of key issues, constraints and opportunities. It is the first stage in a full Transport Assessment to accompany the new Local Plan.
• An assessment of tree cover in Portsmouth - this supplements the Green Infrastructure Background Paper. It sets out a detailed review of the current state of tree cover in Portsmouth.

The following documents have previously been published as part of the ongoing work for the Portsmouth Plan. 

• 2017 Authority Monitoring Report - this was approved for publication at the PRED meeting of 28 February 2018.
• Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment - this technical document considers the future supply of land which may be suitable, available and achievable for housing and economic development over the plan period. It incorporates the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment required by the National Planning Policy Framework.
• Background paper - Housing needs and housing targets - this provides more detail on the issues around housing need.
• Background paper - Student housing and housing targets - this sets out the available evidence on the role that new bespoke student housing plays in the wider housing market, and the contribution student housing can make towards meeting general housing needs.
• Background paper - The contribution of windfalls to housing supply - this sets out the evidence on the number of smaller sites expected to come forward over the Plan period.
• Partnership for Urban South Hampshire - Spatial Position Statement and evidence - this external website sets out the South Hampshire Planning Position Statement and associated evidence on the overall need for and distribution of development in South Hampshire.

The following documents have been prepared by outside organisations and do not necessarily represent the views of the city council. However, they are relevant to the future planning of Portsmouth.

• Business needs, site assessments and employment land study - this study considers the quality and suitability of existing and potential new employment sites across the city.
• Portsmouth retail study 2015 (Pt1) - this study assesses the vitality and viability of the City Centre, Southsea Town Centre and Cosham, Elm Grove/Albert Rd, Fratton and North End district centres. It also considers retail trends, and the need and likely impact of a major retail led development in the city centre. See Portsmouth retail study 2015 Pt2 for the appendices.