Since Portsmouth City Council first proposed the ludicrously destructive ‘super-peninsula’, it has taken 4 years of hard work with our partners in the RSPB and over 25,000 members of the public to stand up and say #DontGoThere to try and stop the destruction of these protected spaces, designated because these beautiful mudflats and coastal meadow are a refuge for wildlife that has been lost elsewhere. These spaces are the backbone of any future hopes for restoring wildlife across the nation. 

The super-peninsula proposals would have bulldozed over 30 hectares of some of the most protected habitats in England to build a housing development and marine employment hub, risking the creation of a ‘Portsmouth Precedent’ to do the same anywhere in England.  

As Portsmouth councillors cool off on the super-peninsula and damaging land reclamation plans, it is really important to note how much success we have had so far together: the super-peninsula is now so politically unappetising that the council are considering taking it off the table altogether. But we also must remember that this fight isn’t over until an alternative plan is chosen. The council are absolutely committed to building some housing at Tipner West and all indications are that they are still looking at options that try to destroy 3.5 hectares of coastal meadow protected as part of Portsmouth Harbour Special Protection Area, creating that same ‘Portsmouth Precedent’ for nature’s destruction in England. 

This is why we have decided it is about time to get on the front foot and challenge Portsmouth City Council to do much more for nature at Tipner West. As the Council has committed itself to developing the land at Tipner West to meet the City’s housing and employment needs, we must work to ensure that any development at Tipner, a site nested against our highly protected sites for nature, is built with the principles of nature-positive development at its heart, and crucially does not cross that immovable red line onto the protected coastal meadow and mudflats.  

Due to the enormous risks of either the super-peninsula or development that builds over 3.5ha of protected coastal grassland coming forward, we have decided to take a bold step. Working with a landscape architect, Influence, we have created a challenge for councillors to meet their goals for housing and employment in a nature-positive direction and without crossing the red line of building on protected sites. 

Once we have shown Portsmouth Council that they can meet their goal of 1,250 homes and employment space without crossing the line, there can be no more excuses to promote nature’s destruction. Whilst we are at it, we are using this opportunity to remind the council that they must create space for wildlife in any development they insist on. Nature-positive design is essential to create a community where both people and wildlife can thrive.  

This is our last chance to save nature’s home at Tipner West. We have a short window of opportunity to convince Portsmouth City Councillors to support a wilder future for Tipner West that ensures the future of these protected sites for nature. We need your help to tell Portsmouth City Councillors don’t cross the line with a simple template that will be live on our website soon.  

With your help we could finally close down nature’s destruction at Tipner West for good.