£3m bid to restore historic features of the Plym Valley
Historic features in the Plym Valley could be restored as part of an exciting package of ideas being put forward for Heritage Lottery Funding.
Plymouth City Council is leading a partnership of organisations to bid for up to £3 million to restore and improve the links between the city and the Plym Valley.
Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Brian Vincent said: “This is an incredibly exciting project that looks back at Plymouth’s past as well as looks to a greener, healthier future.
“A lot of background work has been carried out to find out about the history of the valley and at one time, Plymothians used to take special trains at weekends up the Plym Valley along the old branch railway to enjoy the spectacular landscape from the moors to the sea through ancient woodlands.
“There’s a wealth of history – particularly our industrial and mineral heritage – that is hidden under ivy and slowly decaying. We want to stem the decline and celebrate it, making it not just a destination for local people, but for visitors to our city, so that they can enjoy the incredible views, walks and history along this beautiful and interesting valley.”
Ideas that could be developed include:
- restoring important heritage features such as the Lee Moor Tramway so people can learn about the past and appreciate the valley again
- restoring lost gardens and features such as The Happy Valley at Saltram and Boringdon Arch
- improving access into the valley from surrounding neighbourhoods such as Efford, Estover, Plympton St Maurice and Plymstock as well as the new communities planned at Plymstock Quarry and Sherford
- market and promote the valley so people can enjoy and appreciate its heritage and diversity from Saltram to Plym Bridge Woods and onto Dartmoor
- get local people involved in developing and delivering the project and provide training and educational opportunities leading to new employment and business in the valley based on tourism and conservation
- improving the links between different part of valley for example creating a better routes in and out of Saltram at Marsh Mills.
The Council is working in partnership with South Hams Council, the National Trust, the Environment Agency, the Forestry Commission, Devon Wildlife Trust and Natural England.
The ideas are part of a masterplan to create new parkland, which would cover an area the size of 650 football pitches and include the National Trust-owned Saltram estate as well as Hardwick Wood and the former landfill site at Chelson Meadow.
Councillor Vincent added: “This is a golden opportunity to make the most of an incredible asset on our doorstep. There are plenty of ideas but we want to know if they are the right ones.
“It is important for people to get in touch and talk to us about what they think is right for the Plym Valley and right for future generations who will be able to enjoy.”
Susan Warren, Devon Wildlife Trust's Director of Development and Policy said: "The Plym Valley has a wealth of fantastic wildlife. The proposed project is a great opportunity to protect and enhance key areas for habitats and species, and to enable local people to explore, enjoy and care for the wildlife on their doorstep.
“We are very pleased to be part of such an enthusiastic and committed partnership, which is working to secure a great future for the Plym Valley."
An initial bid will be submitted at the end of May and people are being encouraged to get involved and share their experience and suggestions either in writing or via our online consultation portal (www.plymvalley.org.uk). This is an easy to use online tool based upon google maps that allows people to debate and shares issues and opportunities with one another.
The initial bid will then be considered by the Heritage Lottery Fund and a decision made in the autumn. After that there would be further detailed consultation and development with all parties, particularly landowners, before works could start in sometime in 2015.
