Connect Centre, Portsmouth

We’re delighted to have secured approvals for a landmark redevelopment that will deliver 191 new homes at the former Connect Centre in Portsmouth – a particularly important contribution given Portsmouth City Council’s ongoing shortfall in housing land supply.

The scheme demonstrates how a strategic use of permitted development rights can unlock challenging brownfield sites. By combining Class MA rights for the conversion of existing office floorspace with a Class AA rooftop extension to add two additional storeys, and supporting this with carefully targeted full planning applications, we enabled our client to bring forward a significant quantum of new homes with zero affordable housing provision – an outcome that would have been highly unlikely through a conventional planning application route.

Beyond the planning strategy, design quality was central to the project. The existing façade, which had become dated and was failing in places, will be replaced with a bespoke cladding system that celebrates the building’s modernist heritage while delivering a substantial uplift in appearance and townscape quality. This approach ensures the development not only meets urgent housing needs but also enhances the character and visual quality of this prominent gateway site.

This project is a clear example of how innovative planning solutions and thoughtful design can repurpose redundant office buildings into much-needed homes – delivering real impact in sustainable, well-connected urban locations.