Somerstown, Hampshire facts for kids
Somerstown or Somers Town is a residential area in the city of Portsmouth, located in the English county of Hampshire. For a long time, Somerstown was an area that needed a lot of help and improvements. However, since 2012, a big plan has been underway to make the area much better.
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History of Somerstown
Somerstown first started to be built in the 1820s. The land it was built on belonged to a person named Mr. Somers.
World War II and Rebuilding
During the Second World War, Somerstown was heavily bombed. After the war ended, most of the buildings that were left were taken down. New homes were then built for people by the city council. This plan was created by the city architect at the time, F. Mellor. One building that survived the war was the Castle Tavern, which used to be a private house from the 1800s.
Improving the Area
Somerstown has been an area that needed a lot of improvements. Many of its buildings needed to be fixed or rebuilt. It has been known as one of the poorer areas in the South of England, with many people looking for jobs.
Plans for a Better Future
Somerstown is an important part of a bigger plan called "Heart of Portsmouth." This plan aims to get special money from the government to improve the area. A group of people has been formed to help create a new plan for rebuilding. This group works closely with the people who live in Somerstown.
Building Safety Updates
On June 23, 2017, the Portsmouth City Council announced an important safety measure. They confirmed that the outer covering, called cladding, was being removed from two tall buildings in Somerstown. These buildings are Horatia House and Leamington House. The cladding on these buildings did not pass safety tests after the serious Grenfell Tower fire happened. Both Horatia House and Leamington House were built between 1964 and 1965 and are 18 stories high.
