[Harry!]

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome...tre.5073660.jp



The £500m transformation of Portsmouth city centre has been delayed for at least six years, The News can reveal.

Developers Centros said work won't start on the Northern Quarter scheme until 2015 to give it time to draw up a new masterplan as well as getting planning permission and other legal agreements.

It comes after the project was put on hold as it was not 'economically viable' in the recession.

Portsmouth City Council had the chance to scrap its contract with Centros in the hope of finding another developer.

But the ruling Lib Dem cabinet agreed to give up that right at a meeting last week, despite calls from opposition councillors to put the contract out to tender.

Centros owns huge chunks of land in the city centre, including the site of the former Tricorn building, the JobCentre at Lake Road and the Dorchester Arms pub.

Confidential advice from city lawyers Ashursts, seen by The News, says Centros could put up a fight against the use of this land if the council ditched them for another developer.

The report says Centros has in-depth knowledge of the council's plans and finances which could be used to scupper alternative schemes.

It advised the council to stick with Centros despite the delays.

Deputy Tory leader Alistair Thompson said: 'The council has put pound signs before common sense and now Centros has us over a barrel.'

Centros is planning a redesign of the scheme, that could include scrapping plans for flats, creating two layers of shops to increase retail rental and moving the anchor stores John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.

City leaders are adamant no-one else will be able to deliver a better scheme more quickly .

Cllr Mike Hancock, who is in charge of planning, regeneration and economic development, said: 'If this was viable Centros would want to make it work.

'If we go through this again with another developer it would be 2020 plus before we get a scheme.'

Centros has council-set targets to meet between now and 2015.

Council finance boss Roger Ching said: 'We are disappointed it is slipping but we are pleased we still have a developer that not only has already invested £50m in the city but that is prepared to come back with a new scheme at a future date.'

Centros development director John Marsh said in a letter to Mr Ching: 'We remain entirely confident that the partnership strength we have developed with the council will outlive the current market uncertainty.'

CENTROS' PROPOSED NEW TIME FRAME

2009: Work up a new scheme, consult with the council, residents, businesses and retail chains.

2010: By June Centros and the city council should have agreed on a new scheme. The rest of the year will be spent preparing outline planning application along with environmental assessments.

2011: Centros assume outline planning permission will be granted by the end of 2011. New applications for Compulsory Purchase Orders and Road Closure Orders will be made.

2012: Preparation of a 'reserved matters' planning application setting out detailed designs and carry out consultation.

2013: Submit reserved matters planning application. Any public inquiry over CPOs or RCOs.

2014: 12-month period for any court challenges.

Scheme has been plagued by snags

The Northern Quarter scheme has been a long-held dream of Portsmouth City Council.

Developers Centros came up with plan involving more than 80 shops, cafes and restaurants that was set to transform Commercial Road into a major shopping attraction.

But it has been plagued with problems since the outset.

City centre trader Mark Austin launched a series of legal challenges against Compulsory Purchase Orders issued by the council to force businesses to sell their land to make way for the scheme.

And in spring last year Centros revealed building costs were much higher than anticipated.

This, along with plummeting property prices, forced them to announce in July they were going back to the drawing board to come up with a scheme that would cost less and offer shareholders a higher return.

But in January this year they revealed they were not going to meet the deadline of December 2010 to start the project before the CPOs expired.

Mr Austin, 51, from Southsea, who has been a vocal opponent of the scheme from the beginning, said: 'I feel totally vindicated.

'They have blamed me for the delays but I always said that Centros didn't have the capability to deliver this scheme and now that has been proven.'

City centre traders who were issued with CPOs can force the council to buy their properties using blight notices if they don't want to keep their businesses and wait for Centros to come up with a new scheme.

[MrGaryy]

Oh nooo.

[Harry!]

Originally posted by Gazbo
Oh nooo.

Why?

[Harry!]

It's probobly a good idea its delayed or the whole town will probobly be gridlocked!

[arista]

Yes it is going on in many big areas.
I have been to Portsmouth and they deserve a John Lewis.

This New Labour Depression
is getting us all.

[Harry!]

Originally posted by arista
Yes it is going on in many big areas.
I have been to Portsmouth and they deserve a John Lewis.

This New Labour Depression
is getting us all.

To be honest, Debanans is the biggest shop around here.

[arista]

Yes
Thats why a Big John Lewis is needed.

[Harry!]

Originally posted by arista
Yes
Thats why a Big John Lewis is needed.

Anyway I don't go int John Lewis when I go to Southampton, I go to HMV.