Ensuring your voice is heard
RAPS is an independent, non-political association representing the interests of the whole Port Solent community, helping to sustain Port Solent as a pleasant, safe and unique place to live, work and enjoy.
Portsmouth Plan 2025 Addendum
Just as our attention turns to drawn out festivities and keeping warm, here comes the latest Portsmouth Plan consultation, ending January 8th 2026. Your Chair has skimmed through it and recommends that the Committee provides a response online after gathering comments, which have to be in the form of evidence-based amendments. I am also happy to field any questions to take to the consultation event on Tuesday 2 December 2pm to 7pm at the Mountbatten Centre, PO2 9QA.
The Portsmouth Local Plan is the new statutory development plan for Portsmouth and it will guide development in the City up to 2040. This Addendum is mainly a response to the Government’s view earlier this year that the Tipner West plan was unacceptable.
The main document to read is
Pre-submission Portsmouth Local Plan Addendum (November 2025). Para A 33 covers the new bridge and references Savills Bridge Feasibility Study (June 1010).
I believe we should avoid getting hung up on housing numbers - 500 extra in 2035-2040, it's unlikely that Port Solent can almost double its housing capacity utilising such a small percentage of its area. We should concentrate our submission on road access, subsidence, flooding, waste treatment and supporting amenities if there is to be any measure of expansion.
Carols at The Boardwalk
The weather stayed dry for an impressive turnout on Wednesday 17th December and £1290 was collected, which an anonymous donor has offered to double.
Arrangements for next year's event on 16th December will take on board the request for better and more festive lighting and it's hoped that the new owners, expected early in 2026, of the premises that were formerly Watermark and Botanical will wish to be involved.
Thank you to everyone who made the event a success.