Portsmouth City Council was honoured to welcome Helen Fadipe, President of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), on Thursday 23 October as part of her South East regional tour championing planning. The visit organised by the RTPI South East, and its volunteer committee members highlighted Portsmouth’s transformation in planning performance and celebrated the city’s leadership in coastal resilience.
The day commenced at the Southsea Castle, where the RTPI President met with members of Portsmouth’s planning team and the project team from Coastal Partners who are delivering the UK’s largest local authority-led coastal defence project, Southsea Coastal Scheme. The visit was themed “Turning it around – from special measures to special awards,” reflecting Portsmouth’s journey from challenge to national recognition.
Portsmouth’s planning team was recently recognised as one of the finalists for the Local Authority Planning Team of the Year at the UK Planning Awards 2025. This nomination celebrated the team’s exceptional turnaround in planning performance following the pandemic, at the same time as delivering on the Southsea Coastal Scheme, progressing its Local Plan and permissions for other significant regeneration projects in the city. The President heard first-hand how the team overcame significant hurdles to become a model of best practice in urban planning.
During the visit, the RTPI President and the group had a guided tour of the Southsea Coastal Scheme. Valued at over £185 million, the scheme spans 4.5km from Old Portsmouth to Eastney and will reduce flood risk for more than 10,000 homes and 700 businesses. Approximately 4,000 of these properties are at risk of direct threshold inundation.
Speaking during the visit, RTPI President Helen Fadipe said:
“Portsmouth’s journey is a powerful example of how planning can transform places and protect communities. The Southsea Coastal Scheme is not only a feat of engineering but a symbol of what collaborative, forward-thinking planning can achieve.”
Cllr Hugh Mason, Cabinet Member for Planning Policy & City Development at Portsmouth City Council, said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome the RTPI President to Portsmouth and present the outstanding work of our Planning team. Her visit was a valuable opportunity to show how our planners have not only transformed performance but continue to provide exceptional service in supporting major projects like the Southsea Coastal Scheme.
I’m proud of the team’s achievements and delighted that their hard work is being recognised nationally.”
Guy Mason, Project Director for the Southsea Coastal Scheme said:
“As the largest local authority led flood defence scheme, we pride ourselves on the collaborative way our team works with the Local Planning Authority. The early and effective pre-application engagement with both the LPA, statutory consultees and the local community has resulted in the very best scheme coming forward, with the most beneficial outcomes for residents and visitors to Portsmouth.
We’re honoured to have the RTPI visit to see our how the proactive approach from all parties has helped this important infrastructure project be delivered efficiently, with minimal delays, to a very high standard.”
The visit concluded with informal discussions allowing the RTPI President an opportunity to engage directly with the planners behind Portsmouth’s success.