However, there are many disadvantages to the Fratton Park site too. With Portsmouth becoming more popular, the stadium’s capacity of 20200 is no longer enough. The building is becoming old and difficult to maintain. As the building is surrounded by housing, there are many complaints about noise, and increased levels of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the area. Also, because it is in a residential area, there is no room to expand without knocking down people’s homes. Despite the nearby train stations, 60% of people travelling to the stadium still come by car, and as there is no parking at the stadium, they all park on the residential roads.
The new site on Horsea Island has the advantages that, on a 30 acre plot of land, there will be a lot of room for car parking and extra facilities that will be built with the stadium. It will have a capacity of 36000 and at a cost of £600 million, will include hotels and cafes being built with it. If the new stadium is built, the old one will be demolished and replaced by housing. With the new stadium will come many jobs building and working in the stadium. Horsea Island is currently owned by the Ministry of Defence, and the stadium will be built next to a Navy Diving school, which Portsmouth FC will renovate for free if they build the stadium.
There are also disadvantages to the new site, for instance, the only way of getting to Horsea Island is by road, meaning more car pollution. Horsea Island is currently a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and is home to several rare and protected species, whose populations would be seriously harmed by the building of the stadium. Also, Horsea Island is extremely vulnerable to flooding at only 1m above sea level. It is predicted to be completely submerged by 2040.
Personally I am against the move because I think that there is no need as Portsmouth FC could spend the money extending and improving the stadium which they have. Because Horsea Island is currently an undeveloped area and home to protected species of animals, and moving the stadium there would mean an increase in pollution, I think that the environmental costs outweigh the profit that Portsmouth FC would make from building the stadium.
