BAM Design has secured full planning approval for the “The Hub” in Portsmouth. The £10.4m striking, mixed-use community building spans over a dual carriageway and represents the first phase of the proposed major regeneration of the inner city Somerstown area by Portsmouth City Council.
BAM Design were appointed as concept architects and environmental engineers and are currently developing the scheme with as part of 2- stage negotiated contact secured under the EiSE framework with BAM South East.
BAM Design Director Steve Loughe says,
‘Obtaining planning consent is a major landmark for what has been an extremely challenging project. We have spent a great deal of time consulting with the local community and user groups to gain their trust and support it has thankfully paid off.
‘The brief was to provide a landmark building, giving communities on both sides of the road equal access to the much needed new facilities .We also aimed to retain as much scarce open space as possible and spanning over the road achieves this, at the same time creating an iconic statement for the local community.’
The mixed-use scheme replaces outdated existing community facilities including a PCT medical practice, a local Housing Office, a new Community Centre and a Youth Club.
Cllr Steven Wylie, cabinet member for Housing, said:
‘This is a massive boost in our bid to transform Somerstown for local people.
‘The residents of Somerstown deserve top class facilities and this will be a building that they can be very proud of. It will make a real difference to the lives of people living in Somerstown.’
Construction is due to commence in the summer of 2012 with completion by the end of 2013.
