Portsmouth residents in four tower blocks to be rehoused by 2030

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-06 11:09 3 min read

Aerial view showing residential housing and urban Portsmouth skyline with coastal horizon.

Portsmouth City Council has officially initiated a four-year phased rehousing programme for residents living in Tipton House, Edgbaston House, Barkis House, and Nickleby House. The decision, finalized during the Housing and Tackling Homelessness Cabinet Meeting on 5 August 2026, marks the beginning of a transition that will see all households relocated to alternative accommodation by 2030.

Rationale behind the relocation

The programme follows comprehensive safety assessments of the buildings, which were constructed using the Large Panel System (LPS) method. While specialist surveys confirmed that the structures remain safe for current occupation, the council concluded that the extensive remedial work required to meet modern building safety standards and future regulatory requirements rendered long-term residency unviable.

Councillor Darren Sanders, Cabinet Member for Housing and Tackling Homelessness, described the phased move as the “least-worst option.” He noted that the alternative would have required residents to vacate their homes for several years while major construction was carried out. By choosing a phased relocation, the council aims to minimize disruption and ensure that residents receive financial compensation for the mandatory move. Wilmcote House, the city’s fifth LPS block, is excluded from this plan as it underwent a major refurbishment in 2019 and will continue to serve as social housing.

Support and transition process

Portsmouth Homes, the council’s social housing landlord, has established a dedicated decant team to manage the transition. This team is tasked with assessing the individual housing needs of every household, providing practical moving support, and addressing concerns regarding the relocation process.

Portsmouth residents in four tower blocks to be rehoused by 2030

Residents have already been contacted regarding the proposal. The next phase of the operation involves outreach to those living on the top floors of the four affected buildings to begin individual assessments. Following these discussions, households will be added to the Portsmouth Housing Register in stages. This staggered approach is designed to prevent the city’s housing system from becoming overwhelmed and to ensure that priority is awarded transparently in accordance with the council’s existing allocations policy.

Future housing supply and development

To mitigate the impact on local housing availability, the council is continuing its efforts to expand the supply of affordable homes. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2027 on the first phase of the Somers Orchard development in Somerstown, located on the former site of Horatia and Leamington Houses. This project is expected to deliver 175 new council homes for social rent by early 2030.

In addition to larger developments, Portsmouth Homes is progressing with smaller-scale housing schemes. Projects at Bunting Gardens are nearing completion, and work is set to begin on new affordable homes at Twyford Avenue in Stamshaw. Residents seeking further information or clarification regarding their specific housing situation can contact the council at 023 9284 1674 or via email at [email protected].

Source: Portsmouth City Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Official Council Decision

The information is based on the official council meeting minutes and policy announcement from Portsmouth City Council regarding the decanting of four specific high-rise sites.

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