Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and the RSPB welcome the position from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Rt.Hon. Angela Rayner MP, to uphold important legal environmental protections and put nature at the heart of the Portsmouth Local Plan.
The ruling represents a huge victory for wildlife and a crucial step in ensuring that Portsmouth’s internationally important habitats are protected for future generations.
The decision confirms that the public benefits of the proposed development do not override the significant ecological damage it would have caused at Tipner West. This decision reinforces the importance of protecting Portsmouth’s unique and internationally significant coastal and intertidal habitats.
Debbie Tann MBE, Chief Executive of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “We are pleased that the Government has closed the door on proposals that would have seen development trashing both important harbour habitats and legal safeguards. The new direction for Tipner West opens up the opportunity for nature-positive plans that can bring real and lasting benefits for communities, the economy, and wildlife.
“The suggested inclusion of a nature reserve at the south of the site is a significant step forward and will be essential in safeguarding the habitats that provide vital feeding and roosting grounds for threatened wading bird species.
“Our priority remains ensuring that nature is not only considered but embedded at the heart of the planning process, securing long-term benefits for both wildlife and people.”
Portsmouth Harbour and the wider Solent area is vital for wildlife. The area supports 30% of the UK’s over-wintering population of dark‐bellied brent geese, as well as dunlin and black‐tailed godwits, plus many other wintering waders.
Gemma Cantelo, RSPB England Head of Policy and Advocacy said; "We are pleased to see that UK Government recognises and agrees that this development shouldn’t be delivered at the expense of the internationally important wildlife site within and surrounding Tipner West in Portsmouth. Tipner’s coastal grassland and neighbouring mudflats are home to large numbers of wintering birds like Brent Geese, Black-tailed Godwit and Dunlin, alongside diverse fish and invertebrate species.
“This is a win for nature, people and the local community. We thank the many thousands of people who stood together with RSPB and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to help safeguard this precious area and deliver a greener future for local people and future generations. We need a planning system that builds in wins from the start - avoids long and costly delays, provides certainty for developers and communities, and delivers the best possible outcomes for nature and people.
“If we get it right, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill published on 11 March, can set a course to a more strategic approach to planning that delivers the nature-filled homes and places we all deserve.”
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and the RSPB are open to engaging with Portsmouth City Council to explore how a truly nature-positive approach can be taken at Tipner West, one that not only protects the environment but actively enhances it. The Trust and the RSPB believe that this is an opportunity for the Council to lead the way in nature-based solutions, creating a space that benefits both wildlife and the local community, without undermining critical habitats.
The Trust and the RSPB will continue to monitor developments closely and work with partners, local people, and decision-makers to ensure that Tipner West’s natural value is respected, and its future is shaped in a way that reflects its importance as a protected wildlife site.
Portsmouth City Council notice on clarity for Tipner West following government decision.
