Planning submitted for new eco-friendly neighbourhood
The heart of Plymouth’s city centre is set to see a major regeneration project, as plans have been submitted to construct a sustainable new neighbourhood.
Plymouth Community Homes (PCH), the city’s largest social housing landlord, has prepared proposals to regenerate land off Bath Street in partnership with Plymouth City Council. This project furthers the authorities objective to deliver new affordable homes.
Costing £33.5m, the scheme aims to deliver 136 new, energy-efficient affordable homes alongside commercial units, communal gardens, and children’s play areas.
Plans to make the area eco-friendly include creating linked cycle paths, bike stores, pedestrian footpaths and installing electric vehicle charging points to encourage residents to lower their carbon footprint and ditch petrol cars.
The regeneration project would complete the planned Millbay Boulevard scheme, which aims to create a walking and cycling link between the city centre and the waterfront at Millbay.
PCH have claimed 90 homes, out of the 136, are available for affordable rent – 19 will be offered through the government’s Rent to Buy scheme and 27 would be available for shared ownership sale through the PCH’s sale brand, SO Living.
The scheme forms part of the partnership agreement between PCH and Plymouth City Council which aims to deliver more than 600 new homes for the city, with at least 444 for affordable housing.
Nick Jackson, Director of Business Services and Development at PCH, said: ‘There is a growing need for good quality, affordable housing in Plymouth, with more than 6,800 households in the city in housing need.
‘This sustainable development scheme at Bath Street will make a significant contribution towards meeting this need, as well as supporting the local authority’s regeneration strategy for the Millbay area and helping to re-vitalise an under-used city centre site.
‘The proposals will deliver new, affordable homes for purchase through shared ownership and Right to Buy, as well as modern, energy-efficient social housing for affordable rent.
‘There are welcoming green spaces and communal gardens planned for the benefit of the residents and local people, offering a major benefit to the community and the city.’
With significant experience in the regeneration and housing sectors, global design firm, BDP, is the architect and lead consultant for this project.
Adam Darby, Associate Architect at BDP in the South West, said: ‘This significant regeneration project offers the opportunity to revitalise a city centre brownfield site in the heart of Plymouth, and help meet the need for high quality, energy-efficient, affordable homes.
‘The vision for this site is to create a highly sustainable, low carbon new neighbourhood that will benefit from plenty of green open space, pedestrian and cycle-friendly areas, and children’s play areas that are integrated with the landscape.’
Homes are set to be developed with a fabric-first approach, ensuring reduced energy costs for residents. In addition to making sure the neighbourhood is eco-friendly, the current cost-of-living pressures is making it difficult for tenants to switch their heating on, but a better insulated property allows a house to remain warm for longer periods.
Photo by BDP