Plymouth planners have approved changes to the masterplan for the mixed-use redevelopment of Millbay, one of the South of England’s largest regeneration projects.
The masterplan covers the regeneration of the Victorian docks, built by celebrated engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It includes the provision of business/retail space, residential accommodation and high quality public spaces providing direct access to the waterfront.
Approval for the development was originally granted by the city council in 2008, with the revised outline application being submitted by lead developer English Cities Fund (ECf).
Significant progress has already been made on the original scheme with several projects either completed or under construction. These include 43,000 sq ft of business and retail space, over 400 homes, the Plymouth School of Creative Arts and a new marina.
The revised plans pave the way for the completion of the scheme, and include a further 134,000 sq ft of offices, over 92,000 sq ft of retail/leisure space, 600 new homes and a multi-storey car park. Improvements to roads and the public realm have also been completed.
Duncan Cumberland, development director for Muse Developments which is one of the partners in ECf, , said: “English Cities Fund and its partners are committed to further investment in the regeneration of Millbay and we have worked closely with the local authority to bring the masterplan to this point, so we are very pleased with this decision which allows us to move forward with clarity on the scheme.
“The new Millbay masterplan takes into account the development which has already taken place and how future development will complete the regeneration of the area as a vibrant residential and cultural quarter as well as a key waterfront destination for Plymouth, as Britain’s Ocean City”.
