The King’s Bastion

a new cultural quarter for portsmouth

considerations for PCC

to develop the site, we believe PCC should consider the following criteria that our proposals achieve:

Inclusion & Outreach

The development should demonstrate inclusivity at all levels. This should go deeper than merely providing level access for less mobile visitors; the development should be an exemplar of inclusive design. Investment in the site demonstrates Portsmouth’s aspirations for the future therefore proposals should make a positive contribution. The development should encourage public engagement and interpretation of the site. Including space for this to happen in innovative ways should be included.

Statutory Authorities & Historical Significance

Creating additional accommodation adjacent to, or on top of, the existing fortification will be problematic in achieving statutory consents as the bastion is historically very significant with a high likelihood of archaeological deposits. Instead, the low-quality carpark area on the sea wall could be re-purposed as a location for a collection of new buildings that provides a critical mass of activity and use. The new buildings could become a new unique area of the city, The Cannonworks Cultural Quarter, that creates year round activity.

This will not only ensure the financial sustainability of new workplaces, restaurants and cultural offerings, but it will ensure the ongoing maintenance of the moat and bastion habitat.

Public Space & Placemaking

The local community should be involved at the outset to encourage a sense of ownership of the development through codesign workshops events. New uses for the site should be grounded in the hopes and dreams of the community to maximise the chances of successful Placemaking.

Financial Sustainability & Footfall

We think that a single cultural space or restaurant offer that occupies a refurbishment and extension of the historic Magazines could struggle to attract sufficient footfall to the site.

Carbon Negative

The proposals should include ways of being carbon negative – to go beyond carbon neutral and make a positive effect on the environment and the wider City.

Funding

Funding organisations, such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will require robust business planning and evidence that the proposed development will be selfsustaining after the initial investment. For these reasons it is important that the development reaches a critical mass of activity to maintain sufficient income.