Portsmouth City Council has selected the English Cities Fund (ECF) as its preferred regeneration partner for the next stage of the City Centre North project, a major regeneration scheme in Portsmouth, UK. ECF is a partnership between Homes England’s National Housing Bank, L&G and Muse. 

The scheme covers approximately 13.25 hectares of brownfield land in the heart of Portsmouth. The site has the potential to deliver up to 2,300 new homes, alongside new workspace, leisure facilities and more than 240,000 sq ft of public space, including a significant urban park. The development is intended to create a new mixed-use neighbourhood and improve connections between Portsmouth city centre and the waterfront. The proposals are also expected to provide better pedestrian links, encourage greater footfall and create opportunities for local businesses. 

Following the signing of a Development and Masterplanning Services Agreement (DMSA), ECF and Portsmouth City Council will work together to examine development options and test the scheme’s viability. This stage will help establish what can realistically be delivered on the site before the partners potentially proceed to a Development Agreement, which would formalise the delivery of City Centre North. The appointment is therefore an important step rather than the final construction contract. ECF will initially assess the development potential, masterplan and deliverability of the scheme. If this work supports progression, the partnership could move towards the formal development phase.