Specialist heritage developer City & Country plans to create 230 homes at the site of the 1877-built HMP Kingston.  The consented scheme, designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley will see the Grade II listed cell block restored and converted into apartments.

The proposals also include the retention of the listed walls and gatehouse, which will feature a small café.

It is the first significant prison conversion into residential and is the first of four prisons bought by the developer to gain planning permission.

It also plans similar housing schemes at HMP prisons Shepton Mallet, Dorchester, Gloucester.

Richard Winsborough, Associate Director (Planning) at City & Country, said: “Restoring these buildings was of paramount importance to us when we purchased Kingston Prison and we are pleased that members at Portsmouth City Council recognised the need of delivering a new future for the redundant site.

“As well as providing fantastic, characterful new homes, the development will open up the prison to the wider community and enable the enjoyment of these magnificent buildings for years to come.”