Design team appointed to develop plans for Gosport's waterfront

A partnership led by Royal HaskoningDHV and LDA Design, will be putting together a 'masterplan' for the waterfront spanning the Submarine Museum at Haslar in the south, running through the town centre and High Street, up to Hardway in the north.

Royal HaskoningDHV is a team of sustainable consultants, engineers, and designers who specialise in transport planning. Meanwhile LDA Design are experts in landscape architecture, urban design, planning, and more.

They've worked on similar projects in the area and beyond - including the nearby coastal defence schemes in Portsmouth, and supporting various phases of Gosport's flood defences and placemaking at Forton, Seafield and Alverstoke.

They will also be supported by specialists in conservation advice, inclusive design, and wayfinding and signage.

Councillor Peter Chegywn, Leader of the Council, said: "We're excited to be welcoming this skilled team to Gosport to help regenerate our historic waterfront. Together they have plenty of experience creating high quality public space across the south - as well as locally on coastal projects like ours. We look forward to working with them to develop bespoke solutions designed to welcome residents and visitors to Gosport's waterfront and boost our local economy."

Tom Green, Principal Consultant and Project Manager from Royal HaskoningDHV, said: "Together with LDA Design, we look forward to working with the Council to develop a Masterplan that will guide future development opportunities to improve the public realm along the waterfront. Our aim is to reconnect the historic waterfront with the town centre and create an inclusive and welcoming public realm environment for all to enjoy".

Sophie Thompson, Director from LDA Design, added: "Gosport is a special place with a long maritime and military history. It is a great privilege to be part of this restoration and a responsibility we don't take lightly. We're excited to help bring the town's heritage to life and to improve the waterfront so that everyone feels a sense of belonging and pride. We can't wait to find out what local people think, and to shape ideas and take next steps together."

Public feedback shaping the waterfront

The masterplan will incorporate public feedback from recent engagement events run the by the council - as well as information on existing infrastructure, active travel opportunities and more, to put forward specific proposals to improve the waterfront.

Over 450 people came to one of 10 Council roadshow events across the borough in February, to see the early concepts and give feedback on how the town's historic waterfront can be improved. This feedback is being supplied to the design team to help shape the masterplan.

About the Reconnecting Gosport's Historic Waterfront project

In 2023 Gosport Borough Council was successfully awarded £18m of Government Levelling Up funding to help regenerate Gosport's historic waterfront and town centre.

This includes two projects:

• £11m is allocated to renovating the Rum Store at Victoria Quay, which is also match funded by the site owners UK Docks. Plans include creating new employment space for marine industries, and a rooftop bar.
• £7m is allocated to improving the public realm across the waterfront to encourage more residents and visitors to discover the attractions and businesses there. Plans include creating new physical links to help more people access our waterfront, and telling the story of our heritage through wayfinding, public art and more.

Together with £11m match funding from the Rum Store owners UK Docks for that project, this represents nearly £30m total investment in regenerating Gosport's historic waterfront.

Regenerating Gosport's Waterfront

The two Government-funded projects to improve the waterfront's public realm and restore the Rum Store are part of a wider council programme to regenerate the waterfront. A separate but complementary third project focuses on the old bus station site in the town centre, which is set to become a 2,000sqm People's Park with new cafes, toilets and a ferry ticket office.

About Royal HaskoningDHV and LDA Design

Royal HaskoningDHV is an independent consultancy which draws on more than 140 years of engineering expertise to develop sustainable solutions and to fulfil a mission of enhancing society together. They specialise in restoring coastal areas and delivering successful waterfronts, tackling the challenges of climate change, and creating fantastic places to be. 

LDA Design is a 100 percent employee-owned creative consultancy made up of landscape architects, urban designers, and planners with a shared purpose to make great places. LDA takes a 'first life' approach, which means focusing on the needs of people and on creating balance with nature. Key projects include the final landscape masterplan for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Royal HaskoningDHV and LDA Design are leading the multi-award-winning transformation of Southsea waterfront, the UK's largest local authority led coastal scheme. Other joint projects include Exmouth Tidal Defence Scheme and North Portsea Island Coastal Scheme. Notable Royal HaskoningDHV projects include Littlehaven and Millport Flood Protection Scheme. LDA Design led the award-winning public realm design for Littlehampton.

Published 1 April 2025