Council moves forward on major City Centre North project

Work commissioned by Portsmouth City Council has set out how to deliver the regeneration of the northern part of the city centre.

A report going to the council's Cabinet on 10 February 2026 outlines the positive market interest in the City Centre North scheme following last year’s developer engagement work, led by Mace Consult and supported by Montagu Evans and Vail Williams.

The council is now preparing to begin the process of selecting a Master Developer. Once selected, it will oversee this large-scale, long-term development project and lead the delivery of new homes, public spaces and infrastructure across the area, including the former Tricorn and Sainsbury’s sites.

The move represents the next step in a programme to transform the northern gateway into a vibrant, sustainable urban quarter. Early phases of the scheme are expected to bring forward more than 900 new homes, new commercial space, and improved public spaces, with the wider masterplan retaining the vision for up to 2,300 homes over the full life of the project.

The Cabinet report also confirms continued progress on the City Centre Roads project, which will unlock key land for regeneration, reroute traffic to reduce congestion on Market Way and Commercial Road, and create improved public transport corridors.

Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said:

“We are now in a position to move forward confidently into the next phase of the project. The strong interest we’ve seen from developers shows that Portsmouth is a city people want to invest in, and that our approach is the right one.

"City Centre North is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape our city centre for the future, before local government reorganisation takes place. By taking this next step, we’re making sure that this momentum continues. Meanwhile, we'll continue to work with the owners of privately-held sites across the city centre to bring forward other developments.”

Louise Sunderland, Head of Cities and Places, Europe, at Mace Consult, added:

“Mace has worked with Portsmouth City Council for over a decade, so we know first-hand how impactful the City Centre North scheme will be for the city and wider region. We are bringing our development advisory expertise, having supported authorities across the UK, to help deliver new homes, commercial and public spaces to benefit local people.

“Together with Montagu Evans and Vail Williams, we’re excited to lead a collaborative team supporting the Council in the next stages of selecting a Master Developer.”