Secretary of State ‘opinion’ on Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest (IROPI) to Portsmouth City Council
The Secretary of State’s consideration of whether IROPI exist under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) for a proposed allocation in the Portsmouth Local Plan.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
Date opinion issued: 31 July 2025.
Requester and location
Opinion requested by Portsmouth City Council for its proposed allocation at Tipner West and Horsea Island East.
Allocation details and opinion requested
The proposed local plan allocation is for a marine employment hub (“the hub”) with a working quayside, involving dredging to provide deep water accesses and up to 58,000 m2 of marine employment floorspace; 814-1,250 residential dwellings (enabling development); a bridge between Tipner West and Horsea Island East, for sustainable transport modes only; flood defences along the peninsula edges of Tipner West and Horsea Island East; shops selling essential goods; and meeting places for the local community.
The proposed allocation was referred to the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government under regulation 107(3) of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) for an ‘IROPI’ opinion as it would be likely to have direct adverse effects on the Portsmouth Harbour SPA/Ramsar/SSSI sites area(s). Full reasons are set out in the published opinion letter.