A huge consultation on the future of Plymouth’s city centre has already identified potential sites for homes and underused areas which could be given new life.
Residents are being asked for their views ahead of publication of a City Living Framework and Masterplan aimed at guiding long-term changes for the city centre.
Already, hundreds of people have visited drop-in sessions at the Central Library and among ideas put forward are improvements to public spaces and green areas, stronger connections between neighbourhoods, support for businesses and ways to make it easier for people to access services, facilities and public transport.
At earlier consultation events it emerged that Plymouth may not get as many as 10,000 homes built in the city centre – described as an aspiration rather than a target – and construction could be spread out over a much wider area.
Now, with two weeks of the consultation still to run, Plymouth City Council is keen that more people share their ideas.
The project has already begun gathering views from residents, businesses, community groups, stakeholders, visitors and young people through a range of activities, including targeted engagement sessions and conversations across the city.
The engagement programme is now moving into its next phase, with further opportunities for people to get involved, including additional drop-in sessions, community events and stakeholder workshops.
The council said a number of “emerging opportunity areas” have so far been identified and need further exploration.
These are places where there appears to be the greatest potential to improve city centre living, unlock new opportunities and support Plymouth’s growth.
They include places where there may be opportunities to create new homes and bring underused sites back into use.
The council said that identifying an opportunity area does not mean decisions have been made, but nor does it mean that other locations are not important.
The aim is to focus discussion on where investment, improvements and new ideas could have the greatest impact, while continuing to gather feedback about what matters most to citizens.
Residents, businesses and community groups are invited to visit the Plymouth City Living engagement space at Plymouth Central Library, where the emerging opportunity areas are on display and project team members and masterplanners are available to answer questions and hear views.
Upcoming drop-in sessions include:
Friday, July 24, 9am-1pmTuesday, July 28, 2pm–6pmThursday, July 30, 9am–1pmWednesday, August 5, 2pm–6pmThursday, August 6, 9am–1pm
There will also be a City Living engagement stall at:
Devonport Open Day ( Thursday and Friday, July 23 and 24)Astor Park – opposite Cattedown Pharmacy ( Thursday, July 30, 9am-1pm)The Plot, Union Street (Wednesday, August 5, 1-5pm)Mutley Plain, near Tesco Express ( Thursday, August 6, 9am-1pm)
Cllr Matt Smith, cabinet member with responsibility for the city centre, said: “It’s been encouraging to see so many people already getting involved and sharing their views on the future of Plymouth city centre.
“Hundreds of people have visited the engagement space at Central Library, and we’ve also begun conversations with residents, businesses, young people, community groups and other stakeholders across the city.
“The feedback we’ve received so far is helping us build a picture of what matters most to people, but there is still plenty of opportunity for others to get involved.
“As we move into this next phase of engagement, we’ll be holding more activities, attending community events and bringing people together through workshops and discussions to explore ideas in more detail.
“We want as many people as possible to continue getting involved. Every conversation, comment and suggestion will help shape the emerging City Living Framework and Masterplan before it is published for wider public consultation, giving people another opportunity to have their say on a vision for the future of Plymouth city centre.”
The council stressed that feedback gathered throughout this phase of engagement will directly inform the emerging City Living Framework and Masterplan, helping to shape priorities, refine proposals and guide future investment.
Once developed, the draft Framework and Masterplan will be published for formal public consultation, ensuring local people continue to play a central role in shaping the future of Plymouth city centre.
For more information visit: https://plymouthcityliving.commonplace.is/
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