Portsmouth begins major fire safety overhaul of residential towers

Tuesday, 16 June 2026 16:00

By Clare Whitehead

Portsmouth City Council has launched a fire safety improvement programme worth up to £120m for its high-rise and mid-rise housing blocks. The council aims to appoint contractors by October, with work scheduled to address fire risk assessment requirements by 2030.

The framework covers 12 of the city’s 22 high-rise residential buildings, while the remaining 10 have been procured separately. The programme, funded through the council’s housing services capital programme, forms part of its wider capital investment plan and aligns with the Building Safety Remediation Programme approved in March 2026.

The first project will be at Mill Gate House, a 21-storey building with 76 flats. Planned upgrades include new fire doors, smoke ventilation systems and electrical improvements, with construction expected to begin in April 2027.

The programme is divided into four work packages covering 12 residential blocks, including Omega House, Grenville House, Darwin House, Handsworth House, Copperfield House and others.

Works across the programme will include fire stopping, compartmentation improvements, sprinkler installations, evacuation alert systems, smoke ventilation, emergency lighting, structural repairs, asbestos removal and lift upgrades.

The council said the programme is being accelerated to meet consumer standards introduced by the Regulator of Social Housing in April 2024, although all homes remain safe to occupy.

Residents can expect inspections and maintenance works linked to fire safety assessments. Some tenants in high-rise buildings may need to temporarily relocate while major works are carried out.

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