Welbeck CP and development manager Coplan Estates are set to build a new office hub in Portsmouth’s city centre for HMRC following planning approval. The redevelopment of the former Matalan car park is expected to deliver a £45m investment into the city, with 1,250 people planned to use the site.
HMRC is expected to move from its current office at Lynx House in Cosham in late 2027.
The building granted approval for construction will provide 86,000 sq ft of total office space over four storeys.
Edward Flach, managing director at Welbeck CP, said:
“We’re transforming an old car park into a state-of-the-art office building and that’s regeneration in action.
“It’s great to get the go ahead because this scheme represents a real opportunity to improve an area of the city which is currently underused and underappreciated, to put jobs directly into the city centre, and to maximise the site’s relationship with the station.
“Our plans were developed over three years of consultation and dialogue and they align with the council’s vision for the city centre.
“With approval from the council now in place, we want to move forward as quickly as we can and, subject to completing the S106, will be looking to start on site in Q2 2025.”