What's happened, and what next
What happened
MHCLG's Housing Delivery Test measured Portsmouth at 26% (2023 measurement), 22% (2024) and 11% (2025). Two published single-year figures are extraordinarily low — 9 net additional homes in 2022-23 and 10 in 2024-25. The emerging Local Plan (Policy PLP16) proposes at least 11,369 homes for 2025–2040 against an assessed need of 15,285, a shortfall of 3,916. The plan was submitted on 18 March 2026 and inspectors issued Matters, Issues and Questions on 19 August 2026.
Why it matters
Housing supply determines affordability, who can afford to stay in the city, and how much pressure falls on temporary accommodation and homelessness services. A delivery test below 45% also weakens the council's ability to refuse applications it considers unsuitable, because the presumption in favour of development applies.
What's being done
The Local Plan is at examination, proposing a stepped requirement of ~588 homes a year rising to ~843. Strategic sites include Tipner West and Horsea Island East (1,000 homes) and Tipner East (1,056). An Article 4 Direction has required planning permission for family-home-to-HMO conversions city-wide since 2011, and city-wide additional HMO licensing has run since September 2023.
Has it worked?
Not on the delivery measure. Three consecutive delivery test results below the threshold, deteriorating each time. The Local Plan is intended to address this but has not yet been adopted, and its evidence base predates the two most recent results.
What happens next
Local Plan hearing sessions, then Main Modifications consultation expected winter 2026/27 and the inspectors' report in spring 2027. The next Housing Delivery Test measurement is the key number to watch.
Cost
Not published as a single figure — delivery depends primarily on private investment and Homes England grant rather than council spending.