Historic Places Panel Visits Portsmouth
Portsmouth City Council recently welcomed a team of national experts on the regeneration of historic towns and cities.
The Historic Places Panel, facilitated by Historic England, was invited by the Council to provide independent advice on how heritage can support the delivery of city centre regeneration, including the future of Guildhall Square and the Civic Offices, and improvements around Commercial Road.
Discussions were hosted at the historic Treadgolds converted warehouse, with presentations led by Councillor (Cllr) Steve Pitt, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development. The Panel visited key areas of the city, focusing on Guildhall Walk, Guildhall Square and Commercial Road.
The Historic Places Panel also met Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Leader of the Council and The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Hugh Mason.
Portsmouth City Council invited the Historic Places Panel of Historic England to visit and offer our views on how best this great naval and port city can harness heritage in the service of its ambitious vision for town centre regeneration. We are grateful for the time spent by officers and members to brief our diverse group of experts and we will be sharing our recommendations soon. With such an amazingly rich history to draw from we have no doubt as to the immense potential for beneficial change.
Portsmouth is rightly proud of its long and rich history, and our streets, buildings and monuments tell the city's story. It was great to host Historic England's Historic Places Panel and discuss how we can celebrate our heritage as we work to create a more vibrant, welcoming and greener city centre that can evolve with the times. We look forward to receiving the Historic Places Panel's report and recommendations.
Following the two-day visit, the Panel will prepare a report of their findings which will be published later in the year.
