Plans for a BDP-designed eco-friendly neighbourhood in Plymouth city centre have been approved.
Full planning permission was granted to Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) to develop land off Bath Street in the Millbay regeneration area and deliver 136 much-needed new affordable homes for social rent and shared ownership.
The £33.5m scheme will see a sustainable new community being created in the heart of the city centre. The 1, 2 and 3 bed apartments, townhouses and mews houses will range from three to five storeys high. The energy-efficient homes will be developed with a fabric-first approach to ensure reduced energy costs for residents.
All homes will enjoy private outside space with either decked balconies or private gardens, and the development also features allotment-style growing spaces, high-quality communal gardens and children’s play areas with lawns, herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees.
Homes will be surrounded by cycle paths with bike stores and pedestrian footpaths to help create a sustainable, low-carbon neighbourhood. The new community will help to complete the planned Millbay Boulevard scheme, connecting Plymouth’s coastal quarter to the city centre.
Adam Darby, associate architect at global design practice BDP in the South West, who is the architect and lead consultant on Bath Street, said:
“The regeneration of this large brownfield site in the heart of Plymouth city centre is a brilliant example of ‘gentle density’, which will provide much-needed, high quality new homes, all with outside space, as part of a highly sustainable, low carbon new neighbourhood.
“Our approach will promote healthy living and sustainable transport methods, with pedestrian and cycle friendly areas, as well as proving plenty of green open space, new tree planting and engaging and secure children’s play areas that are integrated with the surrounding natural landscape. Our aim is to create a happy community where people want to live for the long term.”
PCH, the city’s largest social housing landlord, will work in close partnership with Plymouth City Council to fund and deliver the scheme with expertise and support from Homes England and construction on the first phase is expected to start next spring.
Jonathan Cowie, chief executive at Plymouth Community Homes, said:
“It’s fantastic news to have secured full planning permission for this exciting new development, which will see a poorly used inner city site transformed into a green neighbourhood and we are grateful to our partners in helping us to bring these plans forward.
“We look forward to being able to deliver 136 modern, comfortable and energy-efficient new homes for the people of Plymouth and help address the growing need in the city for good quality affordable housing.”
BDP has significant experience in the regeneration and housing sectors, with recent projects including a new neighbourhood of 160 energy-efficient council homes at Brokesby Road n Swansea.