Property deal kickstarts regeneration of West End

The Council is proposing to acquire over four acres (1.75 hectares) of land as part of its plans to radically transform properties on Plymouth’s West End.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets Councillor Mark Lowry announced today at Cabinet that the authority is in discussions with the Homes & Communities Agency to provide funding to buy 11 properties around Colin Campbell Court and five along Bath Street as its plans for a multi-million pound redevelopment of this part of the city begins to take shape.

And he unveiled the initial concept behind the scheme which would completely change the face of this part of the city. Instead of a cluttered, scruffy car park overlooked by dated low-rise 1960s shops, Colin Campbell Court could become a desirable place to live as well as shop and enjoy.

He said: “I am delighted to be in a position today to announce this important regeneration initiative. We are on a journey that will make a huge difference to the city and buying up the land for redevelopment is a crucial step along the way.

“Colin Campbell Court has long been recognised as a redevelopment opportunity and we believe its transformation is essential to revive the West End. As the major landlord, the Council is prepared to kick-start its regeneration as without public sector intervention, it would not happen.

“This scheme features more homes rather than just shops to encourage more people to live in the city and make it more lively and dynamic. We are already in discussions with funders and partners and we are looking, in particular, at those able to support building starter homes, so that Generation Rent can get a foot on the housing ladder.”

The proposals are based on work carried out by LDA Design who have been commissioned by the Council to work on the City Centre Masterplan.

It sets out a mixed use redevelopment with over 300 homes around the Colin Campbell location, with 25 per cent of the homes to be starter homes. In addition there will be shops, cafes and studios and car parking as well as attractive public open space.

It is envisaged that the new development would include four to six storey buildings, whilst the current car park would be transformed into a court yard, shops, cafes with homes built above them and lanes breaking up the building blocks.

Roads around the new neighbourhood would be completely redesigned, with barriers removed, crossings simplified and enlarged and major reengineering of the junction between Western Approach and Union Street.

The underused footbridge across Western Approach would finally be taken down and the tired Frankfort Gate transformed with significant landscaping.

Housing developments have proved critical in the regeneration of other cities and other parts of Plymouth, said Councillor Lowry and added: “This is a great opportunity to revitalise the West End and provide connectivity through to Millbay by the continued development of the boulevard.

“While the land deals are agreed, this redevelopment is very much at early stages and we will be consulting with traders, residents and everyone with an interest in making this part of the city an amazing place to live, shop and work."

The Council is freeholder of the car park and the majority of properties already. It is the council’s intention that redevelopment of the site will include adequate parking for both traders and shoppers.