The Hard is hugely important to Portsmouth as a transport interchange. It is a site where bus, train and boat services come together and for many people it is the first thing they see when arriving in the city.
Plans to regenerate the area around The Hard were in development for several years. Following consultation with residents and businesses we produced a masterplan for the area called a supplementary planning document (SPD). The purpose of the plan was to:
- set out a clear vision and identity for The Hard
- identify development opportunities and proposals for improving key routes and public areas
- provide detailed guidance about the design and use of land, buildings and public spaces
The plan was adopted in November 2010 and updated in 2012 to reflect the adoption of the Portsmouth Plan. It is now used to inform planning decisions in the area.
You can view The Hard SPD masterplan in the documents section below.
The old interchange was not suitable for modern transport requirements. By redesigning the site layout we could make much better use of the space and make it safer for all people using the area. The concrete deck and supporting structure also need maintenance work. Leading architects AHR worked with us and the various transport operators to ensure the new interchange meets everyone's needs.
We submitted a planning application on 28 April 2014, and approval was given on 11 June 2014. Visuals submitted for the interchange planning application can be seen in the pdf below, a pdf of the road layout is also below.