Designs for the People's Park on Gosport waterfront revealed

Plans to landscape the park include:

• 1,400sqm of grassed area
• Low evergreen shrub and flower bulb planting along the waterfront promenade side of the site, allowing for sea views across the harbour
• 20 new trees, to replace those being removed - an increase of 6 on those that are currently on the site
• A resin-bound gravel path crossing the park, linking the promenade to the walkway from the High Street, and splitting the grassy space into two levels
• A circular base for a new performance space

These designs have been submitted as a planning application, and will be available for public feedback on the Gosport Borough Council website via Public Access (search application reference 25/00063/GR3) from Tuesday 25 March 2025. If approved, the work is expected to begin in late spring, with a view to the park opening to the public in the summer.

Councillor Peter Chegwyn, Leader of Gosport Borough Council, said: "The new People's Park is at the heart of our plans for a revitalised waterfront.

"It's an important public space at the gateway to our borough, and these designs will better welcome visitors by ferry and bus. It will also create a new community focal point - especially as we develop our future plans for a permanent performance space, cafes and bars, new public toilets and a new ferry ticket office."

Future phase

These proposals cover the first phase of the park's development, with a second future phase set to include:

• a new performance structure at the centre of the park to host live events
• a new low-rise building on the west side of the park for cafes and bars
• new and improved public toilets - including an accessible 'Changing Places' facility
• a new ticket kiosk for the Gosport Ferry

Planning applications for these will be submitted in due course. This second phase of the project is due to be completed by Summer 2026.

Regenerating Gosport's Waterfront

This People's Park project is led by Gosport Borough Council as part of a wider council programme to regenerate the waterfront. Two separate but complementary Government-funded projects are running alongside this to improve the public realm on the wider waterfront and renovate the Rum Store at Royal Clarence Yard.

Published 26 March 2025