Portsmouth City Council have ignored widespread public opposition and continued to back destructive plans for the super-peninsula at Tipner West, a deeply flawed plan that pits people versus nature. It was clear from the Full Council meeting that there is a lack of political support for the ‘Lennox Point’ super-peninsula and that urgent and decisive action must now be taken by the Cabinet to reassess the alternative options before the Local Plan is submitted.  

At Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, we are clear that Tipner’s SPA (Special Protection Area), Ramsar and SSSI (Sites of Scientific Special Interest) protected intertidal mudflats represent an immovable red line for development that absolutely cannot be crossed. But we have now seen council documents that make it clear that they have chosen to ignore viable alternative plans that could provide Portsmouth with valuable housing and employment, without destroying these highly protected natural assets. 

We are extremely disappointed to see council leaders' scaremongering that millions of pounds given to Portsmouth by the government would have to be returned if the damaging and undeliverable super-peninsula development option is not selected. The report details that the City Deal only requires 1,250 homes and 30,000sqm of marine employment space on Tipner, which by the council’s own analysis states could be accommodated without land reclamation and destruction of the protected mudflats.  

If the council build over Portsmouth Harbour’s protected intertidal habitat, they are required to create and maintain up to 170 hectares of habitats elsewhere in perpetuity (over 80 years or more). Not only is this staggeringly expensive, but the habitats they aim to recreate would be situated anywhere on the south coast from Poole to Adur. While the people and wildlife of Portsmouth will be losing vital and precious natural assets, Portsmouth City Council will be paying for other people to enjoy nature-rich habitats for years to come. 

It is evident that there is now a viable range of alternatives to the Lennox Point super-peninsula that meet the City Deal requirements and deliver marine employment with a more sustainable level of housing, whilst also protecting and enhancing the protected sites for nature. The council must no longer ignore the 24,000 petition signatories and the record 9,000 Local Plan responses which call on the council to scrap the super-peninsula option. 

In the face of clear public opposition, obvious lack of political support and legal and regulatory issues surrounding the super-peninsula, the Council must scrap the ‘Lennox Point’ proposals and create a new vision for Tipner that works for people and nature!