Plymouth is already known as the Ocean City across the UK.
However, plans have been been given the go-ahead to ‘make Millbay happen’, the decision paper was signed by leader of the Council, Tudor Evans.
The development, which will be a huge leap for the city this year, is thanks to a £5.5 million capital investment.
A mixture of demolition and construction
In order to achieve the vision of linking Plymouth city centre to the sea, a package complete with demolition, construction and rejigging of the layout of this corner of Plymouth will be undertaken.
The first phase of this is a planning application for consent to demolish the bridge over Union Street.
The application for this is expected to be submitted shortly.
The Package
Within the development package, you will notice:
- More parking spaces, 160 new parking spaces will be created at the old Toys R Us car park located beneath the Western Approach car park. These will also include disabled and parent and child spaces. – These will be available from this Autumn.
- 180 new homes will be built between Bath Street and Martin Street
- Landscaping will be carried out to include trees, planting and an attractive route to Millbay Docks.
Of course before any of these developments can go ahead there are a few items that need to come out first.
These include:
- The unusual footbridge that towers over Union Street
- The unsightly footbridge over Western Approach
Colin Campbell Court will also be redeveloped under this package.
Plymouth City Council has been acquiring both property and funding to cover the costs of this scheme.
Bringing a Boulevard to Plymouth
Council Lead, Tudor Evans said:
This is massive. This is the work that will pave the way, putting important infrastructure in place – not just for Millbay but for the West End.
“It’s like a hugely complex jigsaw but this has been part of our city’s vision for a long time and now it’s beginning to happen. The business case means we can crack on with it. And to prove we are cracking on with it, we’re just about to submit the application to demolish the bridge across Union Street.
The city has long aspired to have a boulevard linking Millbay with the city centre. One end has already been built, Isambard Brunel Way, but this currently ends at Millbay Road.
The business case shows that narrow Bath Street will be widened to make way for footpaths on both sides of a wide boulevard to enable quality landscaping along this important street.
