Victory Quay the journey so far

We have been making great strides developing the well-known brownfield site of Tipner East, once home to the iconic submarines in the Harry Pounds scrapyard. This is one of only a few contaminated sites like this in the country to be actively moving forward.  

Remediation and decontamination of the land is almost complete, with preparations beginning of the new flood defences, for the start of work this autumn.  Such an iconic site had many surprises unearthed, including over 20 buried historical barges and their contents along the foreshore, hidden under the earth for many years.

Known as Victory Quay, this new waterfront development will provide much needed homes for many and create a community for all to enjoy.  To regenerate this complex brownfield site that was highlighted as part of the government’s City Deal, strong partnerships with Portsmouth City Council and Homes England are enabling it to happen, alongside the need for government grant. Their ongoing support is integral to being able to bring this new community together and to life.

Every part of the Victory Quay plan considers sustainability, ecology and the landscape, from protecting the coastal birds with a bespoke conservation area to provide enhanced opportunities loafing and foraging, to protecting all residents in the area with the flood defences.

Creating these improved flood defences allows for a new extended cycleway and coastal path linked to the planned country park and to the City Centre. With 1,612 cycle spaces available, it will be the perfect place to get outside and enjoy, reducing the need for a car and building the low car community that the city needs.

Every consideration is being thought about to protect and reduce disturbance to the local wildlife. Whilst work is under construction, it is being phased and timed in such a way to minimise noise, vibration, and human disturbance.

Tristan Samuels, Group Development & New Business Director of VIVID, said: “We’re pleased that the next stage in the development of Victory Quay is about to begin with preparations for the sea wall works now underway, ensuring that we play our part in protecting current and future residents from flood risk. It’s important to pause and reflect on the remediation and decontamination work carried out to date, which has been significant. Over the past 12 months we have pumped and treated on-site over 5 million litres of contaminated groundwater, enough to fill two Olympic sized swimming pools, and the installation of the new defences also includes carbon filters protecting the Solent from further pollutants and doing our part to improve water quality. We’re acutely aware of the ecological importance of the site and our role in protecting and enhancing existing habitats and once completed it will be a haven for wildlife to thrive and impact on biodiversity mitigated.”