Hampshire jobs: New funding to boost two Portsmouth plans

Over 1600 Hampshire jobs will gain from a cash boost to help fund a regeneration program in Portsmouth.

Redevelopment plans in Tipner and Somers Town has been awarded £3m of government funding from the Partnership of Urban South Hampshire (PUSH).

According to the Portsmouth Advertiser, £1.4m will be contributed to the Tipner scheme that will involve the building of 1500 new homes on unused desert land. 

Money will also be used to build a new motorway junction from the M275 which will allow traffic easier access to-and-from the site.

Although funding from PUSH is a great help, the junction will cost £30m, of which the government will supply £25m. The rest will be the council’s job to accumulate.

Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Portsmouth council leader and vice-chairman of PUSH commented to the news provider: “This money will mean that major council projects at Tipner and Somers Town will be able to make the progress we want.

“It also means we won't have to draw as much money from council taxpayers.”

The Somers Town project was given £1.8m and will lead to numerous new jobs as old flats will be demolished to make room for a new modern development.

Launce Morgan, Somers Town regeneration project manager told the news source that the funding from PUSH demonstrates the support the scheme has gained.

“This is an important piece in the funding jigsaw for us and means that the regeneration of Somers Town can go ahead as planned.”