Take a look at plans for Devonport's South Yard

People in Plymouth and beyond are being asked to give their comments towards shaping the anchor project for the City Deal, which could create over 1,000 new and skilled jobs.

Outline plans to transform parts of the South Yard in Devonport into a marine industries production campus are being developed, ahead of an application being submitted to planners.

A masterplan, which shows possible future uses and layouts of the site, has been compiled by consultants acting on behalf of the South Yard Project Board chaired by Plymouth City Council. Now they want to know if their plans to turn the historic dockyard into a thriving centre for marine-related industry is on the right lines.

An outline planning application is being prepared for submission in late November, but the project team is seeking comments from the public on ideas for the South Yard. This will involve developing nearly eight hectares of land across two areas, known as Area 1 and Area 5. Existing listed buildings, the museum and fire station, would be refurbished for future use as well as the historic docks.

Option One: Development of a Marine Industries Production Campus – a purely commercial development, designed for industrial and maritime use only, with associated office space across the site

Option Two: Development of a Marine Industries Production Campus with a mixed use slant – this broadens the commercial options and includes a small element of housing next to Albany Street/Granby Way instead of some of commercial development.

Council leader Tudor Evans said: “This is the flagship proposal of the City Deal and is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to create the right conditions, the right environment for our thriving marine industry in the heart of Plymouth.

“It is critical that the people who live in this area, who have a vested interest in what goes on along this incredible waterfront, help us make the right decision so that the city can continue to build its maritime credentials and create skilled, sustainable employment."

Naval Base Commander, Commodore Graeme Little said: “I am delighted with the recent progress that we have made collectively with the feasibility studies for the South Yard element of the SW Peninsula City Deal, the public consultation of the current planning options is an important part of the process.”

Since the signing of the Plymouth and South West Peninsula City Deal, the Council and the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise have been involved in detailed discussions with the Ministry of Defence over potentially releasing some areas of land at South Yard.

The yard is one of the few sites that may be able to provide deep water access in the South West and could provide the marine sector with facilities to develop technology, manufacture and commercialise products and services. It could also be home to small and medium-size businesses that support marine businesses.

A second public consultation event will take place at Devonport’s Welcome Hall in Fore Street on Saturday 11 October between 10am and 12 noon.

As well as viewing outline proposals and completing questionnaires at the event, people can fill in an online survey or submit comments on the City Deal website visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/southyard

If all goes according to plan, land will be formally transferred from the MOD to the Council next March with redevelopment work on the site getting underway from April 2015 onwards and for several years after to provide new infrastructure, services and development opportunities.