Neighbours celebrate council creating more new homes

The people living closest to Portsmouth City Council’s latest new-build housing block celebrated the building reaching its maximum height yesterday.

Local residents joined members of the construction team at a ‘topping-out’ ceremony at Albion House, in Somerstown, on the long vacant site of the old Southsea Community Centre, where the council are building 23 modern, affordable, environmentally friendly one-and-two-bedroom flats.

Affordable homes

“We’re building council-owned homes for the people who need them at prices they can afford,” cabinet member for Housing Cllr Darren Sanders said.

“There is a massive shortage of housing in Portsmouth and we’re doing everything we can to make the situation better for people in this city who can’t access the housing they need,” he added.

“The development of Albion House shows our commitment to making the best use of long-vacant sites and disused council assets and I can’t wait till people are able to move into these new homes we are creating.”

The popular former Southsea Community Centre facilities were moved from the site, on the corner of King Street and Astley Street, into the council’s landmark Somerstown Central (the hub), in Rivers Street, when the council completed the iconic award-winning building in summer 2014.

Future plans for housing

The council is also making good progress on three other new Portsmouth housing sites:

• A planning application has been submitted for 76 rental flats on the former Shopmobility site, in Arundel Street, in the city centre.
• A planning application has also been submitted to convert the long vacant Brewery House, in Hambrook Street, Southsea, into 17 one-and-two-bedroom flats.
• Plans have also been drawn up for 16 new council-owned homes, on the corner of Northern Parade and Doyle Avenue, Hilsea, and a planning application is expected to be submitted for the scheme soon.

More information

To find out more about any of these schemes, call the strategic developments team on 023 9283 4954 or email strategicdevelopments@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.