John Lewis The Flagship Store in the development

Redevelopment of Portsmouth City centre has reached another milestone. The plan to build a new shopping area in the North End of the city has been approved and central government have supported the proposals.

The development, which will be constructed behind the Cascades Shopping centre, will occupy the area where the Tricorn Centre once stood. The new development will house new large department store and is intended as a rejuvenation of Commercial Road and its surrounding areas.

Initial planning permission was granted but the council are facing difficulty acquiring areas of land. Due to this the Council approached the government to seek support; Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government announced that the council now has permission to use compulsory purchase orders (CPOs).

These orders allow the council to force land owners to sell the property to the developers rather than allowing the sale of small plots of land hold up the continuing development.

When a CPO goes ahead, the council will pay affected landowners a fair market price for their property, in accordance with the government's national compensation code. They can also be given relocation help by the council.

Marks and Spencer will also have a new store in the new development

Cllr Mike Hancock, the council Executive Member for Planning, Regeneration and Economic Development said "I hope those people who want to challenge this decision will consider the effects on the city of what they are trying to achieve”.

The proposals confirmed are expected to bring in excess of 2,000 jobs to the area, with an expected 4,500 temporary construction jobs created.

Redevelopment of the whole Northern Quarter will provide up to 96,200 sqm retail floorspace along with 6,650 sqm to be used for leisure purposes along with 200 flats and appartments and a 150 bed hotel.

The landowners within the development zone have pledged to fight the CPOs and believe that they are being squeezed out and have not been offered an adequate price for their property.