Housing association VIVID has acquired land at Tipner East in Portsmouth marking an important step forward in its ambitious plans to create a vibrant new waterfront community called Victory Quay, transforming an unused brownfield site. This is one of only a few contaminated sites like this in the country to be actively moving forward, demonstrating the role housing associations play in regenerating large, complex sites and boosting economic growth.
Victory Quay will bring much needed high-quality homes, green spaces and commercial, social and recreational facilities to the gateway of Portsmouth. It’s working in partnership with Portsmouth City Council and Homes England to bring this new community to the city in an area that was highlighted as part of the government’s City Deal to support economic growth, create jobs and invest in local projects. It will deliver 850 new homes, including those for affordable tenures such as shared ownership and affordable rent.
Sustainability, ecology and landscaping are at the heart of VIVID’s designs and the plans include enhancing the waterfront promenade for residents to enjoy, as well as improving the connectivity from the north of Portsmouth to the rest of the city, reducing the need for car use. New flood defences will protect Victory Quay and hundreds of other homes in the area.
Mark Perry, Chief Executive of VIVID, said:
“Our strong partnerships with the council and Homes England enable this regeneration to happen as the size, scale and complexity of this development can only happen when these partnerships combine. Together we have the expertise and financial strength to complete these type of projects which are vital to the region.”
“Our plans are driven by the community and reflect the needs of the community for the longer term. They were also involved in the naming and chose for Tipner East to be called Victory Quay, recognising the importance of the maritime history of the city and how it has evolved today. We want to create a neighbourhood that everyone can benefit from and will be proud of. That’s why we have worked closely with the public who were instrumental in helping shape our plans.”
VIVID has extensive decontamination and remediation of the land underway and has agreed a plan with Natural England and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust that once completed, will be a haven for wildlife to thrive, protect ecology and significantly improve biodiversity.