Pompey switch site of new stadium

A 36,000-seater stadium will now be built at Horsea Island rather than at the Hard after the Navy brought up "operational and security" objections.

The Navy plans to base two new super aircraft carriers near the Hard.

"The new site will also enable us to be in the new stadium by 2011 as originally planned," said Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie.

"One big advantage of this site compared with the Hard is that there is no dredging and reclaiming of land from the sea and all the problems that go with that," added Storrie.

The stadium development at Horsea Island - like the Hard a waterfront location - will also involve the construction of 1,500 new homes.

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Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, leader of Portsmouth City Council, added: "We'll do what we can to facilitate this scheme.

"This scheme seems much more achievable than the one for The Hard."

If the city council approves the new location near Port Solent, the stadium's planning application could be submitted during 2008.

Herzog & de Meuron are the architects for the new stadium.

Portsmouth have been at their current home - the 20,688 capacity Fratton Park - for just over 100 years.

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