Seafront flood defences at South Parade Pier, South Parade, Southsea

“Listed Building Consent is sought for the raising and resurfacing of the existing promenade adjacent to the pier and resurfacing under the pier and canopy (at existing levels), construction of adjacent vertical flood defence walls and associated works and widening of the beach…”

“The structures will abut to the pier with shingle infilling between the existing structure and the sheet piles/capping beam. The existing stepped access and ramps to the pier will be maintained. The surfacing under the pier canopy will be replaced with a resin bound surface at its existing level. The promenade either side of the pier will be raised to +5.0mAOD (approx.”

“The Southsea Coastal Scheme is a Flood and Coastal Erosion Management Scheme that stretches 4.5km along the southern edge of Portsea Island. The scheme extends from Royal Garrison Church in the west (NGR SZ 63126 99156) to Eastney Barracks in the east (NGR SZ 67077 98784) and is split into seven sub-frontages.”

“This application seeks amendments to the design at sub frontage 5 east, the section between The Pyramids Centre and South Parade Pier only highlighted below.”

“Planning consent was originally granted for the full scheme in December 2019 (19/01097/FUL) along with a Marine Licence (L/2020/00121/2) and Environmental Impact Assessment consent. A new planning decision was then issued August 2021 (21/00820/VOC) under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, granting minor amendments to sub-frontage 4, in April 2023 (22/01720/VOC) for minor amendments to sub-frontage 5 west (The Pyramids Centre to Speakers Corner) in…”

“Acceptability - proposal supported - Bearing in mind the finding of low harm but balancing this against the wider (and critical) role of the sea defence works in securing and defending not only the pier but also the range of other assets that have been identified, it is possible to make a conservation/ heritage judgment that in this instance also asserts support for the proposal.”

“On the basis that the Council's Conservation Officer have not objected to the proposal, this application is recommended for conditional approval given the limited harm to heritage assets and the over-whelming public benefit of the associated Sea Defence…”

“Members' Comments Members gave a brief 'eulogy' to the Zigzag paving that was being removed and only retained at the very far end of the beach. It was noted that children had now found other things of great interest along the promenade, but children were still enjoying the remaining zigzag paving, and they noted the years of pleasure that had been derived from them for families whilst out walking.”

“Members stated that they were pleased with the consistency and high quality of the surfacing throughout the scheme.”

“DECISION The Committee granted conditional listed building consent as per the officer recommendation.”