Portsmouth City Council will consider mothballing underground car parks beneath four council-owned tower blocks after fire risk assessments concluded the spaces now present a significant safety concern. A cabinet decision by Councillor Darren Sanders, the cabinet member for housing and tackling homelessness, is scheduled for 5 August.
Where the risk has been identified
The affected car parks lie beneath tower blocks on Estella Road and Grafton Street in Nelson ward, and Westminster Place and Wingfield Street in Charles Dickens ward. The report notes these spaces were originally constructed for vehicle parking but are now widely used for storage and, in some cases, commercial lettings.
Why officers are recommending closure
Fire risk assessments and the advice of fire engineers have found that the present use of the underground areas increases the potential for ignition and spread of fire. Engineers advised that to keep the car parks open would require major safety upgrades, including the installation of sprinkler systems and mechanical ventilation.
“The underground parking areas have been identified as a fire risk due to increased regulation following the Grenfell Tower block tragedy and the changed use of the space over time, including storage of large items, and the potential for ignition and spread of fire from within the underground parking areas.”
The report states the recommendation to close the areas is not made lightly and acknowledges the impact on residents, leaseholders and commercial users. It adds that current risks are being managed through interim mitigation, including regular checks and ongoing repairs and maintenance.
Cost, alternatives and practical consequences
Officers carried out business-case modelling for different options. The analysis found that keeping the spaces open, even if upgraded to meet the new regulatory environment, would likely produce net losses over time. Estimated losses range from £1 million to £3.8 million over a 30-year period depending on site and option.
| Site | Ward |
|---|---|
| Estella Road | Nelson |
| Grafton Street | Nelson |
| Westminster Place | Charles Dickens |
| Wingfield Street | Charles Dickens |
Given the scale of the investment required and the limited benefit the spaces provide, the report recommends mothballing the car parks to avoid incurring a level of expenditure that is described as disproportionate.
What mothballing would mean for residents
Mothballing would result in the loss of some parking, storage and commercial use. The council acknowledges this will have an immediate effect on residents and existing tenants who rely on those spaces. Officers say interim measures remain in place to manage present risks while a final decision is considered.
- Decision to be made by Councillor Darren Sanders on 5 August.
- Four underground car parks affected, in Nelson and Charles Dickens wards.
- Upgrades required would include sprinklers and mechanical ventilation, with business-case losses estimated at £1m–£3.8m over 30 years.
Portsmouth Homes, the council body managing the blocks, has stressed the recommendation aims to balance safety and fiscal responsibility. The potential longer-term uses of the spaces are being explored, with the council indicating that conversion to other uses – including possible housing – is under consideration, subject to feasibility and safety constraints.
For residents in the affected blocks, the coming weeks will be important. Any formal move to close and secure the car parks would require practical arrangements for motorists and those using the areas for storage or commercial purposes, and the council will need to set out how displaced users will be supported.
Local councillors and tenant representatives are likely to seek further details at the cabinet meeting, where the balance between safety, cost and local convenience must be reconciled.
